Chrysler's muscle cars will keep their U.S. branding in Europe




Apparently, Europeans still appreciate American muscle.

Chrysler's Fiat overseers have decided to sell American muscle cars like Challenger and Charger under the Dodge brand in Europe, just as they are in the U.S. But less distinctive vehicles such as the Journey crossover could become Fiats, Automotive News reports.
Dodge is part of the Chrysler Group. Fiat now has a 20% stake in Chrysler, enough to call the shots. Still, Fiat has decided that some things must stay distinctly American:

"The Challenger and Charger are by definition American vehicles and you cannot turn them into anything else," the News quotes Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne as saying.

Meanwhile, vehicles such as the restyled Journey and the Nitro, due in Europe in 2011, could be sold as Fiats here and in Latin America.

The blending of Chrysler and Fiat in Europe mirrors Fiat's plans for the U.S. It plans to introduce a mix of its models here as well, and products like the Alfa Romeo will likely stick with their own name while some small Fiats models are likely to become Chryslers.

Source: Chrysler's muscle cars will keep their U.S. branding in Europe

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