The Detroit News - A number of Chrysler Group LLC vehicles, rebadged as Lancias, will make their world debut at the Geneva auto show next month.
Chrysler's Italian partner Fiat SpA will show versions of the Chrysler 200 and 300, as well as the Town & Country minivan. But they will be sold in Europe as the Lancia Flavia midsize sedan and convertible, the Lancia Thema fullsize sedan, and the Grand Voyager minivan, respectively.
A subcompact Ypsilon hatchback and the Delta compact car will round out the Lancia display in GenevaShortly after the two automakers formed a partnership in 2009, Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of both companies, decided to meld future Chrysler and Lancia brand products. They will be sold under the Chrysler winged badge in North America but under the Lancia brand in most of Europe.
The Chrysler and Lancia brands both strive to compete with near-luxury vehicles, and their styling is remarkably similar, making the melding of the two going forward relatively easy for engineers and designers on both sides of the ocean. The goal is economies of scale for savings in developing and manufacturing the vehicles while filling out the portfolios of both brands and expanding their markets by tapping each other's distribution networks.
The Thema sedan will go on sale in Europe in October with a choice of Chrysler's new Pentastar 3.6-liter engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 3-liter V-6 turbodiesel from Italy's VM Motori that will come with a 5-speed automatic. European buyers generally prefer diesels due to high gasoline prices.
The Lancia brand has been without a flagship sedan since the poor-selling Thesis sedan was discontinued in 2009 after seven years on the market.
Moving down a size, the Flavia concept shows what could be done with the Chrysler 200 sedan and convertible.
Fiat could start production of the Flavia for European markets within six months of getting approval to offer the car in Europe.
The Chrysler 200 mid-cycle upgrade that the Flavia would be based on is being replaced by an all-new vehicle in 2013.
For European consumers, Fiat will use the Geneva show to unveil the new Ypsilon subcompact car that will grow from a three-door hatchback to a five-door. The Chrysler brand is to get a subcompact for North America in 2013.
And the new Lancia Delta compact car, which goes on sale next month, will also be on display. Chrysler is to get a Fiat-engineered compact sedan early next year.
