Chrysler Invites 600 Dealers to Apply for Fiat Franchises

Chrysler Group LLC has reached out to 600 dealers in 119 U.S. markets, inviting them to apply for Fiat franchises. The carmaker will host invited dealers at the “Fiat Experience,” an Aug. 30 meeting that will detail the Italian carmaker’s plans to reintroduce the brand to North America.

by Staff

August 16, 2010

2 min to read

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group LLC has reached out to 600 dealers in 119 U.S. markets, inviting them to apply for Fiat franchises. The carmaker will host invited dealers at the “Fiat Experience,” an Aug. 30 meeting that will detail the Italian carmaker’s plans to reintroduce the brand to North America.

Dealers have until Sept. 22 to apply for agreements. In a statement, the OEM listed several requirements for a successful proposal, including past sales performance in a strong market for small cars, a plan for a separate, Fiat-branded facility and proper capitalization, among others.

“The requirements for Fiat are straightforward: separate sales and display at launch, transitioning to a full dealership facility as the volume grows,” said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group’s vice president of network development and fleet. “Our goal is to establish a retail network appropriately sized to serve the market opportunity.”

The automaker plans to announce its Fiat dealer roster in the fourth quarter. The list of potential markets is as follows:

Alabama
Birmingham

Arkansas
Little Rock

Arizona
Phoenix
Tucson

California
Los Angeles
Orange County
Palm Springs
Riverside
San Diego
San Fernando
San Gabriel
Ventura County
Concord
Oakland
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Jose
San Rafael

Colorado
Denver

Connecticut
Bristol
Hartford
Bridgeport
Stamford
New Haven

Delaware
Wilmington

Florida
Daytona Beach
Ft. Lauderdale-Broward
Fort Myers
Jacksonville
Miami-Dade
Orlando
Sarasota
St. Petersburg
Tampa
New Port Richey
Winter Haven
Palm Beach
Bradenton
Venice
Melbourne