Lancia dealers in Europe could soon offer a clone of the Chrysler 300C, which is expected to get a makeover in early 2011. It would become the first Italian car to be manufactured on Canadian soil, more specifically at the Brampton Assembly Plant near Toronto.
The Toronto Star (www.thestar.com) reported the news on June 9 after receiving insider information from an analyst working at AutomotiveCompass. The new Canadian-built Lancia would replace the Thesis (2003-2009), a premium model by Fiat’s premium division.
A merger in the works
Interviewed on the phone, Chrysler Canada spokesman Daniel Labre wouldn’t confirm the news. However, he acknowledged that the Chrysler and Lancia lineups will progressively merge, which means that the companies will sell the same cars (under their respective names, of course).
In May, Fiat AG issued a press release to that effect, announcing that a new dealer network would launch in Europe with Lancia products exclusively (except in Ireland and the UK where the brand does not operate). Naturally, copies of these models would be sold in North America with the Chrysler badge.
According to Mr. Labre, the merged lineup will include, among others, the updated versions of the 300/300C full-size sedan and Sebring midsize sedan, not to mention a minivan.
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| Chrysler’s Brampton Assembly Plant near Toronto currently produces the Chrysler 300/300C as well as the Dodge Charger and Challenger. (Photo: Chrysler Canada) |
The Toronto Star (www.thestar.com) reported the news on June 9 after receiving insider information from an analyst working at AutomotiveCompass. The new Canadian-built Lancia would replace the Thesis (2003-2009), a premium model by Fiat’s premium division.
A merger in the works
Interviewed on the phone, Chrysler Canada spokesman Daniel Labre wouldn’t confirm the news. However, he acknowledged that the Chrysler and Lancia lineups will progressively merge, which means that the companies will sell the same cars (under their respective names, of course).
In May, Fiat AG issued a press release to that effect, announcing that a new dealer network would launch in Europe with Lancia products exclusively (except in Ireland and the UK where the brand does not operate). Naturally, copies of these models would be sold in North America with the Chrysler badge.
According to Mr. Labre, the merged lineup will include, among others, the updated versions of the 300/300C full-size sedan and Sebring midsize sedan, not to mention a minivan.
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| The Lancia Thesis (2003-2009) was the flagship model of Fiat’s premium division. (Photo: Lancia) |
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