Andrea Malan Correspondent covering the Italian market for Automotive News Europe [email protected] +39 335 564 83 82 See All Staff Page Recent Stories Fiat Chrysler adds 3 SUVs to European lineup, including Fiat 500X convertible FCA is expanding its SUV offerings this year with a convertible variant of the Fiat 500X, the Alfa Romeo Tonale and the Maserati Grecale. Spanish sales flat in December; Jeep, Dacia and Nissan record big gains Increases in sales to private customers and self-registrations were offset by a decline in demand from rental companies. For the year, the market was down 32 percent. Italy sales plunged 15% in December on fewer self-registrations Tesla, Toyota, Volvo and Seat bucked the negative trend, while Hyundai, Mercedes, Dacia and Kia had steep sales declines. Stellantis' global ranking hit by Europe, China weakness Stellantis, the company formed by the merger of PSA and Fiat Chrysler, will likely be the sixth-largest car company in 2020 instead of the expected rank of No. 4. FCA execs Manley, Palmer eligible for millions in Stellantis retention awards, documents show FCA CEO Mike Manley could receive nearly $63 million and CFO Richard Palmer $20 million after the merger with PSA closes, provided they remain at Stellantis and meet certain conditions, according to a shareholders' prospectus. Fiat could rebound in Europe with PSA platforms The creation of Stellantis will let FCA leverage several PSA platforms to cut development costs, increase synergies and lower emissions through electrification. VW's Seat cuts production on microchip shortages Hyundai counts on new Tucson to become its Europe top-seller Hyundai Europe is bullish about the new generation of its compact SUV because of its bold design and wide range of electrified powertrains. BMW 4-Series Coupe breaks free from sedan sibling BMW's second-generation 4-Series Coupe is larger and has a more distinctive look to better differentiate it from its sibling, the 3-Series sedan. Fiat targets 'dynamic' families with Tipo Cross The SUV-styled compact hatchback is longer, wider and has a higher driving position than its sibling model. Marelli aims for Porsche, Audi business with EV motor factory in Germany, reports say Marelli will start production in a former Ford plant in Cologne, close to where the automaker plans to build a family of mass-market EVs based on VW Group's MEB platform. Italy sales fall 8% despite rise in private demand Registrations dropped despite an upsurge in private demand as the country's partial coronavirus lockdown allowed dealer showrooms to remain open. Spanish sales drop 19% in November Results varied widely, with DS, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Land Rover and Mercedes among brands that increased sales. Brands with the biggest declines included Opel, Ford and Seat. Hyundai will add entry-level SUV The Bayon will be positioned below the Kona small SUV in the automaker's crossover lineup. In 'merger of equals,' PSA is buying FCA, Stellantis prospectus says A prospectus filed with regulatory bodies indicates that the automakers' merger is actually an acquisition of FCA by PSA, at least for accounting purposes. Load More
Andrea Malan Correspondent covering the Italian market for Automotive News Europe [email protected] +39 335 564 83 82 See All Staff Page