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FCA is setting a five-year strategy: Here's how the last one played out

We're slightly more than four years removed from Sergio Marchionne last five-year plan for FCA, a tell-all where the Italian-American automaker divulged its plans for the 2014 through 2018 model years. It was a grand affair, where Sergio told FCA investors that all was right in Auburn Hills, Alfa Romeo and Maserati were making comebacks, and the fifth-gen Dodge Viper received a mid-cycle refresh. You can read every last one of those past predictions right here. We're on our way to Europe to see Sergio's sequel, coming out Friday straight from FCA's Italian headquarters. (Bloomberg reports a plan to expand Jeep and Ram globally, combine Alfa Romeo and Maserati into a single division for an eventual spinoff, and downsizing Fiat and Chrysler. Also, EVs.) But before we arrive in Italy and find out exactly what Marchionne has planned for 2019 through 2023 as his last act as CEO, let's take a minute to tally up the results of his last term based on the same scoresheet we used in 2014. Now, we're only five months into 2018, so much of this — including vehicles like the Ram HD and Jeep Grand Wagoneer — could still debut this year. For those, we'll mark things TBD. We're not going to draw any conclusions or make any objectionable remarks. We're simply going to let the stats speak for themselves.

Fiat Chrysler trademarks Kamal, likely for small Alfa CUV

We have Alfa Romeo news to share, and for once it's not about a product delay. Fiat Chrysler has trademarked the name Kamal and we think it will be used on one of two crossovers planned to follow the (delayed) Stelvio. Fiat Chrysler trademarked the name Kamal last month. Because trademark filings are intentionally vague, there is no specific brand attached to the application, only parent company FCA. The link to Alfa comes from a small CUV concept that used the name way back in 2003. If we had to wager, we'd say this one will be smaller than the midsize, Giulia-based Stelvio and could use a version of the same platform or whatever will underpin the brand's (eventual) small hatchback. It probably won't come in gold like the concept. We hope not, at least. Interestingly, there's no trademark for Stelvio in the US Patent and Trademark Office's database. That name was confirmed by Sergio Marchionne in February, but anyone familiar with recent Alfa news knows things change. And then they get pushed back and change again. About that waiting, though. Alfa's product plans have been made and amended, the gorgeous Giulia has been delayed, and now things seem to be on track. Maybe. If the latest trademark filing is any indication, the brand is at least thinking about what's supposed to come next. Related Video:

Updated Alfa Romeo Tonale possibly caught camo-free during design clinic

Amateur spy shots taken during what looks like a design clinic held behind closed doors have shed light on how Alfa Romeo's Tonale concept is evolving on its way to production. They suggest the design study presented during the 2019 Geneva auto show wasn't as close to done as many thought. The photos were posted on an Italian enthusiast forum and quickly taken down, but they were saved and published by an Instagram user named CocheSpias. Alfa Romeo did not distribute them on its official channels, so we can't be 100 percent certain about their authenticity. Assuming they're the real deal, they reveal the Tonale has mellowed out considerably since it first showed its nose in Geneva. The headlights are bigger in nearly every direction, they're less bionic-looking, and they're separated from the grille by smaller, recessed air vents. It's a look that's very loosely reminiscent of some of the company's classic models, like the Giulia Sprint GT. Stylists also re-shaped the hood.           View this post on Instagram                   Aqui os dejamos unas fotos de una de las maquetas pre-produccion del futuro SUV de Alfa Romeo. El Tonale. #alfaromeo #alfaromeotonale #alfaromeosuv #alfasuv #prototype #carspy #carscoop #carshot #fotoespia #instacar #spyshot #newcar #carporn #carpassion #instapic #carpic A post shared by CocheSpias (@cochespias) on Oct 8, 2019 at 1:04am PDT The profile and the overall proportions don't appear to drastically change. The rear door handles remain integrated into the C-pillar to give the Tonale a two-door look, a styling cue also seen on the Giulietta sold in Europe. The rear lights are bigger, though they're still connected by a light bar. The emblem on the hatch confirms Alfa Romeo hasn't changed its mind about the crossover's name. The user who posted the photos from the design clinic explained he wasn't given permission to upload images of the interior. He reported the Tonale's steering wheel looks a lot like the Giulia's, and the dashboard receives the same blend of round and rectangular air vents. The infotainment system's touchscreen is propped up on the dashboard rather than neatly integrated into the center stack, a layout which makes it easier to change during a mid-cycle update, or as tech advances. Mechanical specifications remain under wraps. Alfa didn't have much to say about the concept, either, but we know it used a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain.