Who Makes Fiats?

Its the question I get a lot when driving a Fiat.  "Who makes Fiats?"  Usually asked innocently by someone, and occasionally asked with snickering undertone by rednecks.  I think the rednecks thought Fiat was bought out by somebody a long time ago and put to death.  Kinda like AMC, MG, NSU, DAF, Packard, Studebaker, Rover or Triumph.

My is response always: "Fiat makes Fiats!"  The innocent usually look a little confused.  The rednecks start to realize this might become a conversation and try to avoid it.  I explain that Fiat Group is one of the largest producers of cars in the world like Ford, Nissan, Honda or VW.  In fact they make more cars than Honda.

Now it is 2012 and Fiat Group owns Chrysler Group.  They have nearly 60% ownership in Chrysler Group and the shares are growing.  The first totally new Dodge under Fiat Group is the Dart, just unveiled at the Detroit Autoshow.

So I will rephrase the question: "Who does Fiat make?" Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep.  They also make Vespa/Piaggio, Aprillia, Case International Harvestor, New Holland and more.

2013 Dodge Dart

The Super Bowl Car Ads

In case you missed them, here are the best auto ads form the 2012 Super Bowl.  I watched most of the game but for some reason missed many of the ads.

Autonews article and Videos click here
Fiat Abarth Video click here

Acura's "Transactions" with Jerry Seinfeld is great.  Close runner up is Fiat (not considered a Super Bowl ad because it was run before on other shows).  The Audi and BMW are good - yes, I agree a heated steering wheel must be a good thing.  Cars.com ad is disturbing. Chevy "Joy" gets the cute award but VW gets runner up cute.  At the beginning I thought Chrysler's was a political commercial but it wasn't - or was it?  Chrysler did pay back all of its bail-out money last year (with interest paid to the US) and made a profit for the first time in several years.