BREAKING: FCA head Marchionne dies, age 66

Sergio Marchionne, the former chief executive officer of Fiat Chrysler and architect of the automaker’s dramatic turnaround, has died. He was 66.

His death was confirmed Wednesday by Exor NV, the holding company of Fiat’s founding Agnelli family, just days after Marchionne was replaced as CEO. His health had declined suddenly following complications from a shoulder operation at a Zurich hospital, according to people familiar with the situation. The company wasn’t specific about the cause of his death.

Read more here: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-25/sergio-marchionne-ceo-who-steered-fiat-chrysler-dead-at-66

In the flesh, er, sheet metal! Jeep pickup spied out for a test drive

It’s the vehicle Jeep fans have prayed for. It’s the bait with which Jeep has teased us for years. And, now, it’s finally reality.

While Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed long ago that a Wrangler-based pickup truck would be headed to America’s streets and trails, somehow the sighting of a prototype makes the whole thing seem more, well, real.

Check out the spy shots and more, courtesy Road & Track: http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30034/jeep-wrangler-pickup-spy-shot/

 

More on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler:

• 2018 Wrangler spied testing
• Report: Next-generation Jeep Wrangler will have optional 300-HP four-banger
• Poll: 2018 Jeep Wrangler must-haves
• Merry Christmas from Fiat Chrysler: New info on 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL
• 4WheelOnline: Jeep Wrangler-based pickup is happening!
• Yes! Great news on next-gen Jeep Wrangler, plus word on Grand Wagoneer
• 2018 Wrangler engines

 

Report: Next-generation Jeep Wrangler will have optional 300-HP four-banger

In an effort to boost the 2018 Jeep Wrangler’s fuel economy, Fiat Chrysler America will offer a two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, Auto News is reporting. (subscription required) The biggest news for Jeep enthusiasts? The turbo four will likely provide about 300 horsepower.

The direct-injected four-banger, code-named “Hurricane” by FCA,  will feature variable valve timing, a twin-scroll turbocharger and an aluminum block. FCA announced last month plans to update its Detroit-area Trenton Engine Complex to the tune of $75 million to produce a new four-cylinder. The site currently produces Jeep’s 3.6-liter Pentastar motor.

Sergio Marchionne, Fiat Chrysler CEO, has long suggested the next Wrangler could see a powertrain that teamed a four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission. How much increase over the current JK’s 17 miles per gallon city and 22 mpg highway will the new combination bring?

We’ll have to wait and see.

With Fiat ready to sell off the crown jewels, who’ll end up owning Jeep? (Hint: You may not like the answer)

Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has made some waves this month, signaling industry reporters he’s ready to have a garage sale with the automaker’s top brands. Marchionne identified Toyota, Ford Motor Company and Volkswagen as his choice merger partners, but hinted Hyundai and General Motors might be in contention, too.

Since the announcement, both Toyota and Ford have publicly distanced themselves from any merger talk. But, is that just smoke-and-mirrors? Or, would Volkswagen like to broaden its product portfolio to help lessen the diesel emissions-tampering scandal? Perhaps GM is thinking it could take Jeep further upscale like its failed Hummer experiment?

Other potential partners identified by industry watchers include Peugeot, Honda, Mahindra and a host of Chinese manufacturers hungry for a gateway to American auto buyers.

Get more on this story here … http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/business/fiat-chrysler-ceo-sees-toyota-volkswagen-ford-as-possible-merger-candidates/articleshow/51839869.cms?from=mdr

… and here: http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2016/02/20/marchionne-reshapes-fiat-chrysler-merger-sale/80520970/

And, of course, keep an eye on STJ for the latest developments.

FINALLY! Fiat CEO confirms Jeep pickup

We’ve waited a long time for this.

kevinspocket

Sergio Marchionne confirmed yesterday that a Wrangler Pickup truck is indeed in the works. We’ve heard the boss man make comments like this before, but the confirmation via FCA’s social accounts gives it a bit more credibility than before. Jeep has been teasing us for years with awesome one offs, and with the actual thing reportedly debuting by the end of 2017; let’s recap the recent concepts.

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