Chrysler Targets 119 Markets for Fiat Network
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — In preparing for the U.S. launch of the Fiat brand, Chrysler is hosting a Fiat Experience later this month and has asked about 600 of its dealers to be at the event.
These Chrysler stores are all located in one of markets where the automaker is looking to place the Fiat brand. Peter Grady, Chrysler's vice president of network development and fleet, and Laura Soave, head of Fiat North America, sent an e-mail out Monday letting dealers know if they were selected to attend.
These 119 markets that Chrysler is considering have all been found to have a high number of small-car registrations as well as strong growth prospects in the small-car market for the next five years, officials explained.
During the Fiat Experience — which will be held Aug. 30 in Detroit — Chrysler said it will share a summary of its U.S. Fiat plans. Dealers looking to gain a Fiat franchise have through Sept. 22 to submit a proposal to Chrysler.
"The requirements for Fiat are straightforward: separate sales and display at launch, transitioning to a full dealership facility as the volume grows," stated Grady. "Our goal is to establish a retail network appropriately sized to serve the market opportunity."
Among the many things that Chrysler will be evaluating as it chooses dealers for the Fiat network include:
—Dealer sales performance.
—Plan for a separate Fiat facility.
—Comprehensive marketing plan.
—Compliance on dealer standards
—Proper capitalization.
The list of dealers tapped to serve the Fiat brand will be revealed in the fourth quarter.
Listed by state, the current U.S. Fiat market considerations include:
Alabama
Birmingham
Arkansas
Little Rock
Arizona
Phoenix
Tucson
California
Los Angeles
Orange County
Palm Springs
Riverside
San Diego
San Fernando
San Gabriel
Ventura County
Concord
Oakland
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Jose
San Rafael
Colorado
Denver
Connecticut
Bristol
Hartford
Bridgeport
Stamford
New Haven
Delaware
Wilmington
Florida
Daytona Beach
Ft. Lauderdale-Broward
Fort Myers
Jacksonville
Miami-Dade
Orlando
Sarasota
St. Petersburg
Tampa
New Port Richey
Winter Haven
Palm Beach
Bradenton
Venice
Melbourne
Georgia
Atlanta
Newnan
Hawaii
Honolulu
Illinois
Chicago South
Chicago Central
Chicago North
Chicago West
Collinsville
Indiana
Indianapolis
Gary
Kansas
Kansas City
Kentucky
Louisville
Louisiana
New Orleans
Massachusetts
Boston
Springfield
Worcester
Maryland
Baltimore
Frederick
Washington
Maine
Portland
Michigan
Detroit
Minnesota
Minneapolis
Missouri
St. Louis
Nebraska
Omaha
Nevada
Las Vegas
New Jersey
Bergen-Passaic
Essex N. Union
Mid Union
Morris
Flemington
New Mexico
Albuquerque
New York
Bronx
Brooklyn
Manhattan
Nassau
Queens
South Hampton
Spring Valley
Staten Island
Suffolk
Westchester
Albany
Buffalo
Rochester
Newburgh
North Carolina
Charlotte
Raleigh/Durham
Ohio
Cincinnati
Columbus
Dayton
Cleveland
Akron
Toledo
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
Tulsa
Oregon
Portland
Pennsylvania
Allentown
Philadelphia
Greensburg
Pittsburgh
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
Providence
Tennessee
Chattanooga
Memphis
Nashville
Texas
Austin
Houston
San Antonio
Dallas
Fort Worth
El Paso
Utah
Salt Lake City
Virginia
Fredericksburg
Hampton
Norfolk
Richmond
Fairfax
Washington
Seattle
Tacoma
Wisconsin
Milwaukee