In his last major presentation to company shareholders before his retirement next April, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne and his team outlined the company’s five-year plans for the brands that will be its focus going forward: Jeep, RAM, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. Conspicuously absent from Friday morning speeches being presented in Balocco, Italy, any mention of Chrysler, Fiat or Dodge.
"You will see that we concentrate our brand messages today on Jeep, RAM, Maserati and Alfa Romeo. These brands (comprise) the most significant portion of our revenues and our earnings."
- FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne
Jeep
The best-performing of FCA’s banners intends to develop 14 electrified vehicles by 2022, among them four all-electric models. Consumers will also get an electric option for every Jeep model offered by 2021. We can expect to see a new generation of the Jeep Renegade as well as a fully electric Wrangler. For its part, the Jeep Compass will receive a mid-generation revision.
Jeep has other ambitions as well, as it plans to venture into the pickup and three-row large SUV segments between now and 2022. We’ve already heard of course about that revived new Grand Wagoneer said to be in the works.
The strong growth of the Jeep banner also means that the company will be investing in its production facilities in order to boost production capacity, and expand the dealer network for the brand.
RAM
Centerpieces of RAM’s strategy over the next five years include producing a new heavy-duty truck by 2019, a mid-size pickup capable of competing with the revived Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado by 2022, and a 1500 TRX high-performance version with boosted horsepower, also by 2022.
The RAM division is aiming to grow its global sales to 1 million vehicles by 2022.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo will get a major revision of its lineup between now and 2022. The blueprint for the Italian brand includes a refreshed new Giuletta, longer-wheelbase versions of the Stelvio and the Giulia – perhaps with the Chinese market specifically in mind – as well as two all-new crossover models.
The brand will develop six plug-in hybrid models or variants by the time its five-year plan runs out.
Also in the works is the resurrection of two familiar nameplates for the brand. A new mid-engine coupe running on a twin-turbo engine (gasoline) and an electric front axle could get the 8C name last found on an Alfa Romeo back in 2007; and a new Gran Turismo Veloce all-wheel drive sport coupe that will deliver 600 hp or more is also on the schedule.
Alfa Romeo is targeting 400,000 global sales annually by 2022.
Maserati
The Italian luxury sport brand will get a major refresh of its full lineup in the next five years. The Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans will be produced as new generations, as will the Levante SUV. Maserati also intends to produce a new, large plug-in hybrid SUV that will benefit from 50/50 weight distribution for optimized performance and offer what the company claims is the best power–to-weight ratio in its class.
Maserati also plans to introduce plug-in hybrid versions of its Levante and Quattroporte models, both running on a new dynamic all-wheel drive system.
Those versions will fall under the company’s new Maserati Blue label, as will its new all-electric Alfieri in coupe and convertible iterations. Cars made by this division will feature all-wheel drive, three motors and 800V battery technology.
And the others?
As for the FCA brands neglected in all the speeches and presentations made so far today in Balocco, Italy, it is possible that they will be mentioned later on in the day. Rumours have been flying about Chrysler either disappearing completely or having a much reduced presence on markets around the world and within FCA itself. As for Fiat itself, it’s indeed a sign of the tumultuous times in the automotive world that at a meeting of its parent company taking place in Italy, the iconic Italian brand has not even rated a mention in presentations of five-year plans. At least, so far.
Fun fact: as reported by The Detroit News, Sergio Marchionne, in his opening remarks at the meeting, wore a tie. He promised to do so to signal if he felt that FCA would be able to attain its objective of eliminating its net industrial debt.
We’ll of course be updating you as more news comes out of Balocco, Italy regarding the future of the Chrysler and Fiat brands. Stay tuned!
