Chrysler and Fiat
After 10,000 units sold of the Seat 124 Sport 1600 and several hundred more than were exported, as would be read in January 1973, World Motor-Seat was once again in the footsteps of Fiat and offered a new 124 new 124 Sport Sportiest was presented in Italy in August 1972 in versions 1600 and 1800, during the second and final overhaul of the range there made 124 model which had been made so far in the world two million units in Italy, Spain, Turkey and the USSR. This remodeling was related to aesthetic touches throughout the 124 range, except for the spider and stressed mechanically by the use of new engines 1600 and 1800 from the Fiat 132.
For our market, the manufacturer unveiled in October this substitute for Seat 124 Sport 1600, exclusively on version 1800 and announced its sale in late December of that year 1972, appearing, for example, at No. 726 Highway 6 January 1973, with the last 1600, the new Sport 1800 Seat 124 258 500 pesetas to the price of FF, which was 317.749 pesetas road, next to 299 389 pesetas total cost in one of the last Seat 124 Sport 1600.
We should add that after 17,233 units manufactured from November 1972 to July 1975, the 124 Sport 1800 appears last on the list price freeway November 8, 1975 in No. 873, the price of 425,876 pesetas road.
The Fiat 124 Sport 1600 and 1800 had been abandoned by Fiat in September 1974, only 417 sold in Europe, in contrast with the success recorded here as Seat, or it did in USA, which sent a 15,000 units with a horrible bumper reinforced and whose power was only 92 hp SAE.
Let’s start with the most important: Chrysler and Fiat have signed a document through which state their willingness to explore a possible alliance. And with that said, let the block because there is much to cut.
According to Automotive News Europe sources, the memorandum was signed on 16 January. This brings to mind the statements of Sergio Marchionne, who last month indicated the possibility of partnering with other manufacturers to avoid the crisis with the best body possible. It’s no secret that the lack of fuel-efficient vehicles Chrysler has put between a rock and a hard place, nor the Italians are licking their lips for years before the idea of returning to the United States. It is therefore clear which way the shots.
The successful final agreement, Fiat would take a bite of 30-35% for Americans, with the ability to expand its share to 55% if so desired. Chrysler would receive at least one platform, engines, transmissions and the ability to expand distribution in Europe and Latin America, while Fiat will ensure an important bridgehead to the United States. We had heard earlier that it intended to use Marchionne Chrysler dealerships and excess production of its factories to make the jump to America, but today is something entirely new. And more importantly, could even be talking about Chrysler in Italian hands. That being said soon.
On the other hand, recall that both groups and similar collaborative agreements with other manufacturers, and end up with very similar. It is public for some time that Chrysler will use a platform for Nissan to develop a new compact, while Fiat in May initialed a memorandum of understanding with BMW to exchange components thinking about the next generation MINI. The possible effect of the news today in their respective alliances is something that remains to be seen, but you can assume that we have found our favorite talk in the coming months.