2012 Fiat 500 Coupe 4cyl Automatic Skyview Roof Alloy Wheels on 2040-cars

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Ram ProMaster City getting facelift courtesy of Fiat Doblo?

Our intrepid spy photographers have caught prototypes for a new Fiat Doblo. Now we know what you might be thinking (particularly if you didn't take note of the headline): why would we care about an automaker conducting a facelift on a European cargo van? Normally we wouldn't, only the Fiat Doblo has another name, under which it will be shortly be sold here in America: Ram ProMaster City.
Announced just months ago, the ProMaster City is the smaller counterpart to the Ram ProMaster, which itself is also a rebadged cargo van from Fiat Professional. Think of it as a Chrysler version of the Ford Transit and Transit Connect lineup - European vans being brought Stateside by automakers that operate on both sides of the Atlantic.
But despite the official announcement of the vehicle's pending arrival, we still haven't seen the PMC yet. The disguised Doblo prototypes pictured here appear to be wearing a completely new front end and some cosmetic revisions to their tail ends, too. We can't see anything in the interior, but the fact that it was completely covered up suggests that Fiat is working on overhauling that, as well.

Fiat reveals new Aegea Project sedan in Istanbul

You'd be forgiven for boiling Fiat down to the 500 and its growing roster of spinoffs, but overseas the Italian brand sells a wide range of models. Like this new sedan, for example. Unveiled today at the Istanbul Motor Show is the Fiat Aegea Project, in reference to the sea on the western shore of Turkey, where FCA operates one of its largest plants. The Fiat Aegea Project has about the same exterior dimensions as a Ford Focus sedan, with room for five and an array of gasoline and diesel engines ranging from 95 horsepower to 120, mated to a manual or automatic transmission. While tacking a trunk on to a hatchback (or carving a notch out of a sport wagon) may be common practice with some of its competitors, the Aegea was designed from the get-go as a three-box sedan, giving it better balanced proportions. Design work was carried out in Italy at the company's Centro Stile, with development undertaken at the Tofas R&D center adjacent to the Bursa plant where it will be built. Though sure to get a different name before it reaches production, the Aegea is slated to go on sale in Turkey this coming November before rolling out to 40 more markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Just don't expect it to see it nestled between a couple of neo-Cinquecentos in showrooms Stateside. Related Video: NEW FIAT AEGEA PROJECT DEBUTS AT ISTANBUL MOTOR SHOW - The new FIAT compact sedan makes its debut today at the Istanbul Motor Show, in recognition of Turkey's strategic importance to FIAT Chrysler Automobiles global operations - Conceived from the outset as a three box sedan, it combines harmonious design with highly efficient use of space - The name of the project – FIAT Aegea Project – also pays tribute to Turkey's pivotal role in its development, manufacture and anticipated success - On sale from November in Turkey, it will gradually reach over 40 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa The all-new FIAT compact sedan debuts today at the Istanbul Motor Show. Designed in Italy at the FIAT Chrysler Automobiles Centro Stile, and developed in Turkey together with Tofas R&D, one of FCA's largest research and development centres, the new model will be manufactured in the Bursa plant in Turkey, which has been designated Gold Medal status by World Class Manufacturing in recognition of its efficiency, quality and eco-friendliness.

Fiat buying rest of Chrysler in $4.35 billion deal, IPO avoided

Chrysler will now become a wholly owned member of the Fiat family, as it's been announced that the 41.46-percent stake in the Auburn Hills, MI-based manufacturer owned by the United Auto Workers' VEBA trust fund will be sold to the Italian company. Concluding the agreement will mark the closure of a piecemeal purchase process that could have resulted in an initial public offering.
The total cost of the sale will see the VEBA healthcare trust receive $4.35 billion, $3.65 billion of which will come from Fiat. $1.75 billion of that will be cash, while an additional $1.9 billion will be part of a "special distribution." An additional $700 million will be paid over four separate installments according to reports from Automotive News Europe and USA Today, although the shares will belong to Fiat following the first payment. The deal was reportedly initially struck on Sunday (though it is just being announced today), and is being portrayed as particularly good news for Fiat and Chrysler, which have now prevented the remaining shares going to the stock market in a UAW-forced IPO.
"The unified ownership structure will now allow us to fully execute our vision of creating a global automaker that is truly unique in terms of mix of experience, perspective and know-how, a solid and open organization that will ensure all employees a challenging and rewarding environment," Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a statement.