2/7/11 New Email...

[Fiat500USA]

Yes, justifiably frustrated.  Something we all feel at times. I guess this is the price we paid for being the first.  Yesterday, I was frustrated, today, I'm going with the flow...  Everyday, we're getting closer to knowing, so I'm just hanging in there.  

 

[Giallo Edizione]

Gavin wrote

http://image.fiat-email.com/lib/fe621570746506757d1c/m/1/110207_fiat_bodywork.jpg



Still assemble line images...hoping for a finished product images soon, especially the dash/instrument panel.

Gavin

What the...? What is that on the assembly line in front of the 500 in the top middle picture? Looks like a Journey? Same with the small middle picture. So they are running a mixed non-batch assembly line or is that maybe the last Journey for a while? Wow, I hope its the latter. These pics just beg more questions than answers.

[CaliberSRT4]

They must be Journey's since that is the only other vehicle produced at this facility.

Why do you hope that is the last Journey? Anyhow, they are going to continue being produced alongside the 500, yes.

This practice is fairly common in automotive manufacturing today. VW's plant in Mexico produces 4 or 5 models.

It is also a bit strange when you go to a Ford plant and you will see a few Ford's coming down the line, followed by a couple Mazda's, then another Ford, and so on. Highly flexible manufacturing is the goal these days. Generally, one model of vehicle does not get its own dedicated plant, unless it is a particularly unique or high-volume vehicle.

[Giallo Edizione]

CaliberSRT4 wrote

They must be Journey's since that is the only other vehicle produced at this facility.

Why do you hope that is the last Journey? Anyhow, they are going to continue being produced alongside the 500, yes.

This practice is fairly common in automotive manufacturing today. VW's plant in Mexico produces 4 or 5 models.

It is also a bit strange when you go to a Ford plant and you will see a few Ford's coming down the line, followed by a couple Mazda's, then another Ford, and so on. Highly flexible manufacturing is the goal these days. Generally, one model of vehicle does not get its own dedicated plant, unless it is a particularly unique or high-volume vehicle.

Interesting. I'm hardly knowledgeable about how they manufacture cars. I guess I'd expect a batch of Journeys, then a batch of FIAT's etc, not random. I was hoping like others they were going to do a run of FIAT's to fulfill the PE backlog, but apparently not. Kind of loses a little of the Itialian "mystique" when I see the FIAT being assembled in between a couple of Dodges by the same Mexican technician.  In one picture it is clear there is another Journey behind the FIAT as well. Putting the PE logo over this group of pictures and the accompanying email feels misleading....

[CaliberSRT4]

Sorry that your mystique was ruined, lol.

This is a Chrysler facility and Fiat has the largest private stake in Chrysler. No Italian-built cars here. Even the ones sold in Italy are built by Poles. It would be nice if these 500's were being built in a Fiat factory in Italy and shipped over here. Not sure if we'd like the price increase for that, however.

[sketch]

If it makes you feel any better, they'll be selling the Dodge Journey in Europe as the Fiat Freemont!

[Giallo Edizione]

sketch wrote

If it makes you feel any better, they'll be selling the Dodge Journey in Europe as the Fiat Freemont!

No, but wonder how the Italians feel about that....

[CaliberSRT4]

Well, at least this time it will be using a Fiat diesel engine instead of a VW diesel. The Fiat Freemont will be built in Toluca as well.

[Gavin]

I guess the next email will be about the engine??



Gavin

[Giallo Edizione]

Gavin wrote

I guess the next email will be about the engine??



Gavin

Yep, got the email this afternoon.

[sjmst]

"Stay tuned for more product overviews while your vehicle is being created. By the time it arrives, you'll know it inside and out."

This is not good...sounds like we will be getting weeks of "product overviews"...