We’re here to stay, says Fiat Chrysler Automobiles SA…

By: Ryan Bubear

The CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles South Africa says the group – which runs the Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Jeep brands locally – is “here to stay”, setting itself a target of registering some 4 000 units in 2019.

Speaking to Engineering News, boss Graham Eagle said “achieving over 4 000 units is a reasonable target”. In the first month of 2019, however, FCA SA registered just 188 units.

“We need to get the public to realise that we are here to stay. Our biggest challenge is to get our volume up and for the brand to be recognised for the quality and good value it offers,” he said.

Eagle, who moved into the FCA role from Honda at the end of July 2018, said the group had many new products launching locally in 2019, including an expansion of the Stelvio range (yes, the flagship Quadrifoglio variant as well), an updated Giulia, more choice in the Compass line-up, a facelifted Renegade, an updated Grand Cherokee and the new Wrangler.

“We have now been transformed into a lean company with a new approach to sales and marketing and a clarity on the direction in which we are heading,” he told the publication.

Eagle furthermore confirmed to Engineering News that Alfa had plans to launch two new SUVs – one on either side of the Stelvio – “in the next three to four years”.

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