maximus Posted September 9, 2005 Ford have confirmed the rumours that spread yesterday are correct, and that the are set to develop a new small car jointly with Fiat. The new models, targeted at the 'sub' B-segment, will replace Ford's existing ca model, while Fiat's version will revive the famous '500' name and fulfill the Italian firm's desire to get back to their roots with a new 'city' car. Both cars will be built at Fiat's factory at Tychy in Poland, currently the home of Panda and Seicento production, with unconfirmed reports saying that the new cars will be built using the floorpan and mechanicals of the current Panda model. Fiat's version is expected to arrive on the market in late 2007, or early 2008. Ford today responded to the reports that broke yesterday morning in a German newspaper linking Fiat and Ford, and which were then confirmed by a Reuters' news agency source. In a brief statement issued this morning the giant American carmaker said, "The two new vehicles that would be involved, with highly differentiated designs, would be a new Fiat 500 and a replacement for the current Ford ca." It is an arrangement which is expected to be similar to the project between Peugeot-Citroen (PSA) and Toyota, which is building a new small car, also in Eastern Europe. Ford added that "By working together on this project, both companies would envisage reduced development and material costs, while providing highly competitive products to the marketplace." Ford - the world's second largest carmaker - introduced the very individually styled existing ca model during 1996. It is built at the firm's factory at Valencia, in Spain. It has since spawned a series of 'lifestyle' niche versions, including a convertible and a higher performance model. Fiat's CEO, Sergio Marchionne, told reporters during the launch of the brand new Fiat Grande Punto in Turin on Tuesday that he would announce the first strategic partnership "before the end of the year", while the next day Fiat Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said - in a radio interview - that the news would come "very, very soon." The original Fiat 500 became a symbol of Italy's post-war recovery (along with the Vespa scooter), and helped to 'motorise' the nation Share this post Link to post
ToPser Posted September 10, 2005 (edited) Stire mai completa : Ford Motors si Fiat au anuntat ca vor forma o echipa pentru productia si promovarea unui nou model auto din clasa de dimensiuni reduse, pe care il vor pune in vanzare sub nume de marca diferite. Ambele companii intentioneaza sa readuca in atentia publicului nume de marca deja consacrate; astfel, Fiat va comercializa autoturismul sub marca Cinquecento, iar pentru Ford noul model va inlocui ca-ul. Oficialii companiilor nu au pus la dispozitia media informatii suplimentare, cum ar fi cand incepe efectiv productia, unde se va fabrica noul model sau ce estimari au fost facute pentru vanzari. "Lucrand impreuna la acest proiect, ambele companii au in vedere reducerea costurilor de promovare si productie, dar si introducerea pe piata a unui produs inalt calitativ", a declarat Ford. "Dar cele doua modele vor avea infatisari destul de diferite", au adaugat oficialii Ford. Tinand cont de estimarile analistilor, care apreciaza ca poate dura si 5 ani pentru a produce un model nou sau chiar si numai pentru a reproiecta unul mai vechi, la un cost aproximativ de $1 bilion, astfel de parteneriate au devenit cea mai buna solutie pentru producatorii de masini sa faca fata concurentei acerbe. Mai mult, in cazul acesta, Fiat chiar are nevoie de o astfel de alianta pentru a se redresa din criza financiara in care a intrat anul trecut... Edited September 10, 2005 by ToPser Share this post Link to post
