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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.

GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler set target date for restarting production

The parking lot stands empty at Fiat Chrysler's sprawling Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant. / Getty Images   General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are targeting May 18 to resume some production at their U.S. factories after shutting down plants in March due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Wall Street Journal reported. Executives from the companies in recent days tentatively settled on the timeline following talks with United Auto Workers (UAW) leaders and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office, the Journal said on Monday, citing people familiar with the plans. The head of the UAW union last week warned it was "too soon and too risky" to reopen auto plants and Michigan's economy in early May, citing risks to workers. The companies are working with the union on drawing up safety protocols for reducing exposure risk for workers, but haven't finalized those terms yet, according to the WSJ report. GM, Ford, Fiat Chrysler and UAW did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.   Plants/Manufacturing Chrysler Fiat Ford GM coronavirus

Stellantis mega-merger gets approval from FCA, PSA shareholders

MILAN — Shareholders of Fiat Chrysler and PSA Peugeot decisively voted Monday to merge the U.S.-Italian and French carmakers to create worldÂ’s 4th-largest auto company. Addressing separate meetings, both PSA Peugeot CEO Carlos Tavares and Fiat Chrysler Chairman John Elkann spoke of the “historic” importance of the vote, which combines legacy car companies that helped write the industrial histories of the United States, France and Italy. Before the merger is finalized, shares in the new company, to be called Stellantis, must the launched. It will be traded in Milan, New York and Paris. The marriage of PSA Peugeot and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is built on the promise of cost-savings in the capital-hungry industry, but what remains to be seen is if it will be able to preserve jobs and heritage brands in a global market still suffering from the pandemic. The deal will create the worldÂ’s fourth-largest carmaker, with the capacity to produce 8.7 million cars a year, behind Volkswagen, Toyota and Renault-Nissan, and create 5 billion euros in annual synergies.  “We are fully aware of the fact that together we will be stronger than individually,'' PSA CEO Carlos Tavares told a virtual gathering of eligible shareholders. “The two companies are in good health. These two companies have strong positions in their markets.” The new company will put together under one roof French mass-market carmakers Peugeot and Citroen, top-selling Jeep and Italian luxury and sports brands Maserati and Alfa Romeo - pooling companies that have helped define the industry in the United States, France and Italy. While the tie-up is billed as a merger of equals, the power advantage goes to PSA, with Tavares running Stellantis and holding the tie-breaking vote on the 11-seat board. Tavares is set to take full control of the company early this year, possibly by the end of January. Fiat Chrysler chairman John Elkann, heir to the Fiat-founding Agnelli family and Fiat ChryslerÂ’s biggest shareholder, will be the Stellantis chairman. Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley will head North American operations, which is key to Tavares' long-time goal of getting a U.S. foothold for the French carmaker he has run since 2014, and the clear money-maker for Fiat Chrysler. Such a deal was long wanted by Fiat ChryslerÂ’s long-time CEO Sergio Marchionne, who had predicted the necessity of consolidation in the industry. He was unable to find a deal before his sudden death in July 2018.