“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!

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

According to the Free Press: “There’s only two times in my life when I have seen the Supreme Court act quickly,” said Jennifer Shaw, a retired bankruptcy attorney who has closely followed the Chrysler case. One was the Bush v. Gore recount, she said, and the other was whether President Richard Nixon had to comply with U.S. District Judge John J. Sirica’s order that Nixon turn over his tapes.

One of the only hurdles left is a small group of Indiana shareholders, who on Sunday filed product liability claims in order to save pensions. One of the terms of this sale states Fiat faces no risk from product liability lawsuits filed against Chrysler related to vehicles produced or sold until the day the sale closes.

According to Automotive News, “Just days after agreeing to take a 20 percent stake in Chrysler, Fiat is expected to announce plans to purchase GM Europe’s core brands of Opel, Vauxhall, and Saab.”

Apparently Fiat has had the hots for Opel these past couple of decades. However, this is the first time the Italian auto maker has made moves towards purchasing a percentage of the O-P. This Superpower of Automotive Worldwide might would consist of Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Saab, Opel and Vauxhall. It would be the second largest automaker, selling 6 to7 million vehicles a year and posting annual revenues of $106 billion dollars. Let’s see President Obama stop this one!

The Dodge "Storm Trooper" Avenger

In an interview with Financial Times, Fiat’s Sergio Marchionne said “From an engineering and industrial point of view, this is a marriage made in heaven.” He went on to say that Fiat and Opel could save nearly a billion euros a year by sharing platforms and technology. We’ll stay on top of this one, and continue to praise Fiat and all the good work they are doing, as we await their rise to be our new overlords.

Fiat has decided that picking up a stake in Chrysler on the cheap is a ripe opportunity. And how cheap is that? Real cheap, as in, they don’t have to shell out a dime. Fiat will provide Chrysler with models and the platforms and technology to build them, as well as management services and business cooperation in exchange for what will initially be a 35 percent stake in the company, which may be taken past 50 percent to full ownership at a later date.

Will Fiat be able to exploit Chrysler as a low-cost manufacturing base in the US? Will they revive the Chrysler and Dodge brands and put successful models into dealerships that people will want to buy, despite the stigma of bankruptcy? That’s the multi-billion dollar question.

Chrysler, and the Obama administration which has pushed the company towards a bankruptcy declaration and hopes to usher the automaker through a streamlined Chapter 11 proceeding, says it hopes to emerge from bankruptcy with the proper restructuring done within weeks. If they can pull it off maybe, just maybe, they have a chance at surviving and one day prospering again.