Chrysler not planning to sell Fiat brand in U.S.

7/1/2009

DETROIT Chrysler Group LLC, the automaker run by Fiat SpA, said it won t bring the Italian company s namesake brand to the United States while selling its partner s 500 small cars and Alfa Romeo luxury vehicles.

The U.S. company, owned 20 percent by Fiat, may make the 500 a brand by itself, as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG does the Mini, said Gualberto Ranieri, Chrysler s chief of public relations. Fiat products to be sold through Chrysler will be limited to the 500 and Alfa Romeo, he said.

Chrysler Group, created June 10 from assets of bankrupt Chrysler LLC with U.S. government financing, is forming its future product plans, including what will be built in North America and at which factories.