Chrysler had previously announced that a selection of Fiat-based compact cars was slated to hit the market in early 2012.  But in a sign of rapid progress at Chrysler (or anxiety over the supposed apocalypse), CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a conference call that work on the vehicles is advancing sooner than the company anticipated, and it should appear in the fourth quarter of 2011.

“We’ve run extensive clinics on the first vehicles. We’re 98 percent there on styling,” Marchionne said to Automotive News. “My expectation today is we’ll be able to get this car into the market Q4 2011. We continue to work pretty aggressively on timing.” Marchionne also said that improved versions of the much-maligned Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger are slated to bow around the same time.

Chrysler showed a re-badged version of the European market Lancia Delta at the 2010 Detroit Autoshow, but there’s no official word on whether this product is slated to come to North America.

Gallery: Chrysler/Lancia Delta

[Source: Automotive News]

Fiat will cut u to 5,000 jobs at its Italian plants by moving production of several Alfa Romeo models to North America. According to a report by Automotive News Europe, the cuts will affect three Italian plants. Parent company Fiat hasn’t released the specific details, but it is expected that the models slated to be built in North America are the 159 replacement, 166 replacement and a new mid-size crossover.

This latest development is part of a larger plan by Fiat to streamline its production process. Currently the brand builds 14 vehicles at five plans in Italy. But as of 2012, Fiat hopes to just build nine models in Italy.

In addition, Fiat is also making a big push to sell Chrysler brand products in other parts of the world. We recently learned that several Jeep models will be sold in Russia and now comes word that the 300C, Sebring and Town & Country minivan will be rebadged and sold as Lancias in Italy starting in 2011, and sold as Chryslers outside Italy. Fiat also plans to bring the Nitro and Journey to Europe, although its not clear if they will wear a Fiat badge or a Lancia badge.

In the future, Fiat plans to do a lot of platform sharing across the U.S. and Italian brands and will look to replace Chrysler brand models with Fiat products.

[Source: Automotive News via AutoCar]

With little more than a new grille and badging, Chrysler is displaying a possible future hatchback model at the Detroit Auto Show. With little else new other than some facelifted models for 2010, the unnamed Chrysler hatch stays true to the premium outlook that the Fiat-controlled company has for the brand. The large five-door hatch is sold in Europe under Fiat’s Lancia brand as the Delta.

The European model is relatively new overseas, having launched at the Geneva Auto Show back in 2008. Several engines are offered in Europe, including a 120-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, a 163-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a twin-turbo 1.9-liter with 190-hp.

If it does in fact launch in North America, the yet unnamed Chrysler hatch is likely to get Chrysler’s upcoming revised 2.4-liter 4-cylinder World Engine, which gets Fiat’s variable valve Multiair technology to produce 190-hp and 175 ft-lbs of torque. Compared to the old 2.4-liter, Chrysler says this new engine not only delivers improved power, but fuel economy as well.

GALLERY: Chrysler Premium Hatchback based on Lancia Delta

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Contrary to previous reports that Chrysler will not present any new models at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks, there is now word that the struggling U.S. automaker will show a new car based on a Lancia platform. The Lancia badge is a sub-brand under Fiat, which now runs Chrysler.

There is no word on what sort of a vehicle it will be, but Fiat is eager to help Chrysler where it needs help most – in the small and mid-size car market. This new model would be the first idea of how Fiat intends to integrate its European designs into the North American marketplace.

Previous reports have suggested the first new Lancia-based Chrysler model would be a premium hatchback, something along the lines of the Delta (above).

Fiat’s larger plan for Chrysler will have it closely integrated with Lancia, the two brands sharing platforms. Fiat has said Chrysler will revamp or replace all of its models over the next few years, adding four new Fiat based products by the end of 2010.

AutoGuide’s live coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show starts January 11th.

GALLERY: Lancia Delta

[Source: Bloomberg]

Yesterday Chrysler’s new owners at Fiat announced that the Chrysler brand would now be under the stewardship of Lancia brand head Olivier Francois. Today it is more evident why, as both Chrysler and Lancia will share product platforms in the future.

The alliance will see Lancia get a redesigned version of the 300C as a new flagship, replacing the unattractive Thesis (pictured above). Chrysler’s first Lancia-based product is likely to be a small premium hatchback. The Lancia brand is also scheduled to get a version of whatever the Chrysler/Fiat alliance can dream up to replace the Sebring.

So far, it looks like Fiat is likely to benefit more from this relationship than Chrysler, although we’re not sure if you can classify hand-me-down Chrysler products as a good thing. Still, the 300C is one of the best things to come out of Chrysler in recent history and its easy to see why Lancia wants it.

Fiat has declared that it wants to make Chrysler a brand that can take on Cadillac, meaning that Francois certainly has his work cut out for him. Francois has, however, proven to be quite good at changing perceptions, having restored faith in one-struggling Lancia brand.

[Source: Automotive News via LeftLaneNews]

After several rumors and reports, Chrysler has now confirmed that the Dodge Ram will be spun off into its own brand with the appointment of two individuals. Fred Diaz Jr., formerly Director of the Denver Business Center, will now head up the RAM brand, while Ralph Gilles will take over at the helm of the car brand. Gilles will also continue to run the product design department at Chrysler Group.

“The brand-focused strategy has been refined further with the unbundling of the Dodge Brand which now consists of the Dodge RAM Brand and the Dodge Car Brand organizations,” said Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne. “This reorganization will allow us to protect and develop the unique nature of the product offerings within the Dodge Brand.”

Within this new corporate structure, Marchionne also appointed a new Chrysler brand CEO; Olivier Francois, who comes from Fiat’s Lancia Brand and will continue in his position there as well.

Official release after the jump:

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