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Fiat eyes droptop SUV market with 500X convertible

Fiat will add a convertible version of the 500X crossover, Automotive News Europe has confirmed. The droptop variant will retain the side structure of the hardtop version, including the doors and door frames, and will utilize a roll-bar canvas top that incorporates the rear window, similar to the design of the 500 Cabrio. The open-air crossover is due to begin production this year. There's no word from FCA's U.S. arm on whether the model will come to the United States. Fiat's U.S. dealers might very well want it, given that they just lost the 124 Spider and the 500L hatchback for 2021. This despite the unenviable sales track record for crossover convertibles. Outside of hardcore off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler (and, by all appearances, the new Ford Bronco), the notion of a convertible SUV has proven to be a sales flop. The odd-duck Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet, which at least made more of an effort with its two-door body and full soft top, was nonetheless an embarrassing failure that expired with the second-generation Murano in 2014. Land Rover's first-generation Range Rover Evoque already had a two-door body style when it, too, took a stab at the idea with the Evoque Convertible for 2017. The Evoque was already something of a high-end fashion statement, so maybe the beautiful people who summer in the Hamptons or the south of France would want to bop around town in a baby SUV that allowed them to show off their fabulous selves. Turns out, no. The Evoque convertible pointedly was left on the shelf (along with the two-door hardtop) when the model was redesigned for 2020. Maybe things will be different for Fiat. In Europe, the 500X convertible will go up against the only other vehicle of its type, Volkswagen's T-Roc Cabriolet. At the launch of that VW in late 2019, Volkswagen's board member in charge of marketing asserted that the idea of combining a convertible and a crossover was "a great opportunity," and yet he also said, "From a rational side, you would never go into the cabriolet market.” For Fiat — as well as for Volkswagen — it's likely that one of those sentiments will prove correct.

FCA plotting larger Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500XL

The joint development of the new Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X goes to show what the combined efforts of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group can yield. But don't expect the Italian-American automaker to stop there. According to Autocar, the company is planning to base another pair of larger SUVs on the same platform. The Jeep version would take the place of the previous Compass and Patriot, slotting in between the Renegade and Cherokee. Meanwhile, the Fiat version would further bolster the Cinquecento lineup to sit alongside the 500 hatchback, 500L minivan and 500X crossover. Details remain few and far between at the moment, but they wouldn't be the extent of the growth plans for either brand. Jeep is reportedly zeroing in on a decision on the long-rumored sub-Renegade model, while also preparing to expand up-market with the return of the Grand Wagoneer. Fiat is reportedly abandoning the prospect of offering a full model line as it once did. While the 500 range will continue to form a vital part of the brand's business, it's also tipped to be going after the no-frills, bare-bones market dominated by Renault's Dacia brand. To that end, it would seek to build upon the Panda by offering a larger, but still low-cost hatchback to rival the Ford Focus and VW Golf, and succeed the discontinued Fiat Bravo, but based on the 500L's platform and built in Turkey to keep costs down. This second pillar of the Fiat brand wouldn't likely be offered in the US, however, where we'd expect the 500 line to continue representing the Italian automaker. Related Video:

France tries to dodge blame for blowing up FCA-Renault merger deal

PARIS — France sought to fend off a hail of criticism on Thursday after it was blamed for scuppering a $35 billion-plus merger between carmakers Fiat-Chrysler and Renault only 10 days after it was officially announced. Shares in Italian-American FCA and France's Renault fell sharply in early trading after FCA pulled out of talks, saying "the political conditions in France do not currently exist for such a combination to proceed successfully." French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said the government, which has a 15% stake in Renault, had engaged constructively, but had not been prepared to back a deal without the endorsement of Renault's current alliance partner Nissan. Nissan had said it would abstain at a Renault board meeting to vote on the merger proposal. However, a source close to FCA played down the significance of Nissan's stance in the discussions, believing French President Emmanuel Macron was looking for a way out of the deal after coming under pressure at home. Context The FCA-Renault talks were conducted against the backdrop of a French public outcry over 1,044 layoffs at a General Electric factory. The U.S. company had promised to safeguard jobs there when it acquired France's Alstom in 2015. The collapse of the deal, which would have created the world's third-biggest carmaker behind Japan's Toyota and Germany's Volkswagen, revives questions about how both FCA and Renault will meet the challenges of costly investments in electric and self-driving cars on their own. The merger had aimed to achieve 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in annual synergies, with FCA gaining access to Renault's and Nissan's superior electric drive technology and the French firm getting a share of FCA's lucrative Jeep and Ram brands. FCA has long been looking for a merger partner, and some analysts say its search for a deal is becoming more urgent as it is ill-prepared for tougher new regulations on emissions. It previously held unsuccessful talks with Peugeot maker PSA Group, in which the French state also owns a stake. French budget minister Gerald Darmanin said the door should not be closed on the possibility of a deal with Renault, adding Paris would be happy to re-examine any new proposal from FCA. "Talks could resume at some time in the future," he told FranceInfo radio.