In its 2018 full year report, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has revealed big plans that involve cost cutting measures and shifting sales focus to more profitable brands such as Jeep and Alfa Romeo. At the same time, the report also put emphasis on Maserati, which will now be managed as a luxury brand.
FCA CEO Michael Manley recently admitted that the organisational pairing of Maserati with Alfa Romeo was a mistake, and the partnership has caused Maserati to be treated “almost like a mass-market brand.” Moving forward, Maserati, now armed with new leaders, is looking to bridge product gaps with specialty models and expand its model range with the Giorgio platform, which currently underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio SUV.
It’s not yet known what models will sit atop the Giorgio architecture, but a new Maserati crossover is likely in the pipeline. Tipped to sit below the Levante, reports suggest the new SUV could feature a plug-in hybrid option, and it could boast a 50:50 weight distribution and a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. The platform, on the other hand, is optimised for rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive applications.
Another model that’s said to go into production is a road-going version of the Alfieri concept, and it is to be available in coupe and convertible forms. Powertrain-wise, it would feature both fully electric and plug-in hybrid forms, and will be underpinned by a modular aluminium spaceframe. The EV variant will get three electric motors, all-wheel drive, torque vectoring and an 800-volt battery. A zero to 100 km/h sprint time of two seconds has been mooted, and it will go on to hit well over 300 km/h.
According to CarAdvice, this drivetrain will be used in future battery electric vehicles from the Italian automaker, all of which will be parked under the Maserati Blue banner. This includes the next-generation Levante as well as the Quattroporte.
Meanwhile, FCA has confirmed production for the new Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid, and it’s scheduled for launch in 2020. However, this results in an unspecified downtime at its Toledo plant for retooling purposes.
FCA boss Manley also added that the auto conglomerate, the seventh largest in the world, is open to partnerships to gain scale and drive down costs, but only with companies that “have very similar values.”
Reuters reports that FCA’s capital spending is forecast to rise in 2019 and 2020, partly to fund the 2020 redesign of the high-margin Jeep Grand Cherokee and the introduction of an all-new Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Both models are said to bolster profits.
Presently, FCA’s global portfolio lacks a mid-size pick-up truck, a product the company had promised by 2022, and Manley said the company was still considering whether to approve production. The ute, should it make to production, will take on the likes of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan NP300 Navara.
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Copy paste: “If u wanna buy a gud Toyota, go buy a Mazda”.
Amongst all the automotive conglomerate, FCA is the most inefficient and having the most fragmented platforms within their brands. Take the Levante, being built on a bespoked platform with an identity crisis. It tried to be a Ferrari of SUVs with its Ferrari derived mill but then inexplicably added with a diesel engine option. WTF?!
It is this silo-like thinking which caused none of the FCA brands making a significant success in recent years. They seriously need to relook at their business model whether if it is sustainable.
Alfa Romeo is doing very well with her supercar saloon Giulia and super suv Stelvio.
Meanwhile Maserati positioning itself as luxury sports has failed miserably.
Not sure how you defined doing very well when AR is supposed to be mass-market brand but it doesn’t sell as much like a mass-market brand contemporary (ie Peugeot, Renault, VW).
Alfa Romeo is competing with Mercedes Benz and AMG, Porsche, Audi, Range Rover.
Peugeot, Renault, VW are competing with Fiat and Lancia.
Dodge and Jeep remains at USA domestic market.
Ferrari at supercar and hyper car market against Mclaren, Lamborghini, Porsche.