On the heels of 2011’s record earnings and sales, six all-new or upgraded vehicles are set to launch in 2012, while 10 additional models are planned by 2015.
Asian brands claimed a 45% market share in January, 4.2 points greater than like-2011, as only low-volume Isuzu and Suzuki were in negative sales territory.
Product development is being judiciously monitored to manage the opposing forces of cost-control and customer satisfaction. “It’s a tricky exercise,” Marchionne says.
The U.S.-market introduction of the 500L is part of a strategy to diversify Fiat’s showroom in a bid to boost sales volume in the wake of a disappointing 2011.
Fiat’s full-year and fourth-quarter 2011 trading profit would be negative if not for its ownership stake in Chrysler, says Sergio Marchionne, who heads both auto makers.
Having convinced nearly 80% of Chrysler dealers to open their service departments on Saturdays, Pietro Gorlier is pushing Sundays because “it makes sense.”
Volkswagen’s site in Puebla, Mexico, was the No.1 producer in 2011. The plant’s 510,041-unit output represents a gain of 75,356 on prior-year and a huge margin over second-place Nissan’s...