Chrysler starting to pick U.S. Fiat dealers

2011 Fiat 500

Chrysler announced today that it has started picking dealers that will represent the Fiat brand in the United States. The Auburn Hills automaker said that the dealers chosen in the first phase will be ready to take orders for the new Fiat 500 subcompact hatchback.

“We have carefully considered each of these dealer proposals looking for the best locations and the most creative plans,” said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group”s Vice President of Network Development and Fleet Operations. “We are thrilled with their level of interest in securing the Fiat franchise and in the innovative proposals they have submitted. We”re excited to be at the point where we now can start appointing our Fiat dealer network.”

Chrysler said it will continue to work with other dealers on their proposals and will name additional dealers by the end of 2010. In all, Chrysler would like to have Fiat dealers in 119 markets in the U.S., mostly in areas chosen for their high concentration of small-car registrations.

Refresher: Hitting dealerships in spring 2011, the North American version of the Fiat 500 is powered by Fiat”s 1.4L in-line 4-cylinder engine featuring MultiAir technology. The system delivers an increase in power up to 10 percent and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions up to 10 percent when compared to competitor engines.

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2011 Fiat 500 (North America):

– By: Omar Rana