Being an American auto worker is a rare career path in today’s world. In Detroit, it can be even harder. Chrysler has spent decades utilizing Detroit’s two-tiered payment system. New employees make much less ($14 – $16/nr) than their counterparts who have been employed longer. With UAW arguments and poor economic growth year-to-year, there’s little to no chance of a wage increase.

Chrysler Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is looking to change that.

Marchionne says he’d rather “have all his workers on the same pay scale,” hinting at changes when the maker’s contract expires in 2015. It has plenty in the auto industry curious about what the exec has in store.

“This economic disparity between people on the (production) line is not something that can go on indefinitely,” Marchionne told reporters during a recent conference call.

The UAW wants to eliminate the two-tier structure, which has divided union members and almost caused the rejection of this year’s contracts with Chrysler, as well as the other two American car companies.

Source: MSNBC

“Marchionne is working on management changes as he steps up the integration of the two companies. He plans to merge the carmakers to reduce costs and achieve a target of more than 100 billion euros ($140 billion) in combined revenue by 2014. The executive said in May that the timing of a merger hasn’t been decided yet, adding that a combination isn’t likely this year.”

“But just as there was furor in Italy when Marchionne suggested that the unified Fiat-Chrysler could be headquartered in Detroit, the unified management structure could be yet another source of controversy. It will, after all, be the most direct signal yet as to whether Fiat-Chrysler is an Italian firm with global operations, an Italian-American alliance or a truly global firm.”

Source: TTAC

It will be distinguished by special badges, a small rear spoiler and 15-inch alloy wheels. The interior is outfitted with two-tone sport seats, revised instrument cluster, and special floor mats.

According to official specifications, power will come from a 1.4-liter engine producing 100 hp and 97 lb-ft of torque. This enables the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph in just over 10 seconds, and hit a top speed of 113 mph. Production will be limited to 28 units.

Source: WorldCarFans

This car is small, in fact it’s almost as small as Smart Car’s “fortwo” model. The Italian auto maker is betting that 130 dealerships in the nation will be selling these vehicles like hot cakes to American buyers.

As far as performance, 500 comes with a 1.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder engine. The 101 hp powerplant pushes the 2500 lb-ft of torque two-door with ease. 500 takes each turn like a little speed demon. Handling is smooth and responsive with this engine, though Fiat plans to introduce an Abarth 500 with more power sometime in 2012.

Fiat reports an EPA estimated gas mileage of 33 mpg combined in manual, 30 mpg with its automatic.

Fiat claims there are “more than half a million ways to configure the 500.” Pricing starts at $15,500 for the base Pop variant. This includes: Power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, air conditioning, cruise control, and a CD stereo with an MP3 jack are all standard.

Add in other options to the Lounge or Sport models, including moon roof, portable TomTom GPS or fog lights, and a 2012 Fiat 500 still only tops off around $24,000.

(Interior shots and article source: Kelsey Mays | Cars.com)

Dealerships that accept the invitation will attend the Fiat Experience on August 30 in Detroit. At that time, Chrysler will detail its plans for the Fiat dealership network and ask interested dealers to submit proposals by September 22. Dealers will be chosen in October 2010.

“The requirements for Fiat are straightforward: separate sales and display at launch, transitioning to a full dealership facility as the volume grows,” said Chrysler Vice President of Dealership Network Development Peter Grady. In addition to selling Fiat vehicles, dealerships may get the opportunity to sell Alfa Romeos, as the brand is scheduled to return to the U.S. in 2012.

No firm details have been set about expanding the Fiat network to include Alfa Romeos, but Chrysler spokesman Ralph Kisiel commented that the Fiat network “might be expanded as more new products are added to the lineup.”

Want to know if your local dealership is going to supply the country with Fiat 500′s? Contact the ones near you off our Find A Chrysler Dealer page.

Chrysler is working to bring back their “ENVI” division – who introduced the world to several hybrid and electric cars years ago. With help from Fiat, Chrysler’s new owner, they plan on breathing new life into those vehicle technologies.

According to Automotive News, “Chrysler’s senior vice president for powertrain technologies, Paolo Ferrero, reiterated his company’s plans to bring an all-electric Fiat 500 onto the market by 2012. He also revealed details for a test fleet of Dodge Ram plug-in hybrids and hinted that there will be a full line of electric vehicles in Chrysler’s lineup. These are the two extremes [the Fiat 500 BEV and Dodge Ram plug-in hybrid], let’s say,” Ferrero said in an interview. “We have an electrification strategy, but we cannot yet disclose it.”

Chrysler’s green strategy also encompasses alternate fuels. One popular alt-fuel, compressed natural gas (CNG), is a topic of discussion around the division. Chrysler’s parent Fiat has extensive experience in building and selling CNG-powered vehicles, something that could be transferred over to Chrysler’s future lineup.

story: greencarreports

But fear not, Fiat-Chrysler has appointees its first North American chief to flip this company around, Laura Soave.

Laura has her work cut out for her – according to CNN Money; “Chrysler’s sales to consumers have plunged more than 44% so far this year…Toyota’s retail sales fell less than 14%, even though Toyota stopped selling its best-selling models for more than a week in January, and has been hammered by a constant drumbeat of bad news ever since.” So yes, even the struggling bad-PR machine Toyota, which has cars that attempt to kill drivers, is doing better than Chrysler. Ouch.

Soave will be charged with leading the introduction of Fiat 500 in the North American later this year. As Head of Fiat Brand for North America, Soave will be directly responsible for ensuring that Fiat is properly integrated into Chrysler’s current North American distribution chain and she will be in charge of all marketing activities.

Sources: LeftLaneNews | CNN Money

“Fiat 500 on sale in U.S. at end of the year”

That’s 1 – 2 years sooner then we thought Fiat vehicles would be on sale at Chrysler lots in the States. Fiat may have to adapt their tiny city cars to go along with US highway safety standards and fuel economy. Still, this is very exciting news!

Italy’s invasion continues – gearing up for the 2010 Detroit Auto Show (the BIG ONE, ya hear?) Chrysler is apparently going to rebrand Fiat’s Lancia compact car for American consumption. And why not, America seems to have a thing for all that is Italian (well, Italian American, Jersey Shore style) – Fiat chose the perfect time to brings some Hospitaliano to the auto industry on this side of the Atlantic. “There’s no doubt that in the mid-sized car and small-car markets, the company is at a disadvantage,” said Michael Robinet, an analyst at consultant CSM Worldwide Inc. in Northville, Michigan. “It’s in their best interest to bring new product to bring out some new models as quickly as possible.”

According to Bloomberg: “The automaker’s five-year business plan calls for having designs from Turin, Italy-based Fiat account for more than half of global sales by 2014.”

The Source: I Go Watch The Bloomberg

The Italian invasion of America’s auto industry has begun. Starting next year, Chrysler will begin building Fiat’s1.4-liter, Four-cylinder Turbo FIRE Engine in the United States. It’s good news for the residents of Auburn Hills, Michigan, and those working in local auto factories. The motor will be produced under the supervision of Chrysler-Fiat at the Midwestern plant.

Chrysler’s Dundee facility will create 155 new jobs to compensate, bringing in a total of 573 for the entire project. The plant will have an annual capacity of 100,000 engines, but you won’t ride with any in the States. Fiat’s FIRE is being built for Mexico’s Fiat 500 units. Wait, aren’t the Mexican’s supposed to build things for us? Press Release follows:

“Chrysler Group LLC Introduces Fiat’s 1.4-liter, In-line 4-cylinder, Fully Integrated Robotized Engine with Multiair Technology to Powertrain Lineup

Auburn Hills, Mich., Dec 17, 2009 – Chrysler Group LLC will debut Fiat’s 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder Fully Integrated Robitized Engine (FIRE) featuring Multiair in the Fiat 500 starting in 2010. The engine, well-suited for a small car application, delivers 100 horsepower (75 kW) at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb.-ft. (129 N•m) of torque at 4,250 rpm. A turbo version also will be available in future applications. The 1.4-liter FIRE features Fiat’s Multiair technology, which significantly reduces emissions while improving fuel economy and power delivery.

The 1.4-liter FIRE features four valves per cylinder and incorporates state-of-the-art technology for Fully Variable Valve Actuation (FVVA), also known as MultiAir. Multiair is a sophisticated technology that delivers an increase in power up to 10 percent and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions up to 10 percent when compared to similar engines. A turbo version of the engine is also planned and will produce a fuel economy improvement up to 25 percent when compared to a V-6 engine with equivalent power.

The MultiAir system consists of electro-hydraulic variable valve actuators filled with conventional oil, which is interposed between the camshaft and each valve. A solenoid valve is energized every 360-degree camshaft rotation, regulating the quantity of oil addressed to the actuator or to a reservoir. The lift of the valve is a function of the quantity of oil addressed to the actuator, ranging from full lift to complete valve closure. Each solenoid valve may also delay application of the actuator in advance, leading to late valve opening or early valve closing.

MultiAir is exclusive for Chrysler Group in North America and is based on a series of Fiat Powertrain patents related to hardware, combustion strategies and controls that allow for full control of the lift and timing of engine valves.

In the early 1970s, robotics in assembly plants was not common. The term “FIRE” came into existence when Fiat integrated the use of robotics in the production process of manufacturing plants. Although mechanized assembly is commonplace today, the brand name FIRE has remained with Fiat’s powertrain lineup.

The 1.4-liter FIRE with Multiair is the world’s first mass production engine to incorporate such technology to control the intake valves. Dedicated components have been developed to accommodate four “bricks” (one for each cylinder), which package relevant components. MultiAir technology can be adapted to different types of engines, including Diesels for enhanced NOx control, and is planned for Chrysler Powertrain’s four-cylinder World Gas Engine and all-new Pentastar V-6.”

The Source: WCF