ACEA elects Sergio Marchionne as president for 2012

02/12/2011 in News, Manufacturer News

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Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat Group and Chrysler Group, has been appointed as the president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) for 2012.

Marchionne said: “The year 2012 will be challenging especially if the instability in the Eurozone would not be addressed.

"Our association will further focus its work on three main issues: European industrial policy; sustainable mobility and transport; and international trade relations.

“These issues are all closely linked as the industry's capacity to invest and innovate depends on a strong, competitive manufacturing base in Europe.”

Marchionne takes over from Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division, who served as ACEA President in 2010 and 2011.

Zetsche said: “The European automotive industry is a major employer and invests over 30 billion EUR in R&D per year - more than any other industry in Europe.

"The importance of our industry must be reflected in the EU's economic, transport and trade policies."

Fiat

Fiat has a strong proposition in the low-CO2 sector with a model range that produces the lowest emissions in the market.

This is driven by the Panda and the 500, iconic models that are seen as a core strength of the Fiat brand.

Fiat has also invested in engine technology that enhances its environmental performance with the TwinAir engine, a two-cylinder format that delivers strong performance despite weighing less and having lower fuel consumption.

Note: Manufacturers administer the franchised contracts for cars and LCVs in different ways. Broadly, for some the contract to sell cars and LCVs is managed through a separate dealer contract. For others one contract covers both vehicle types.

AMi seeks to acknowledge the difference and reflect it in the count of each dealer groups total franchised outlets (franchised businesses) and sites (locations).

Fiat treats car and LCV sales as coming under separate contracts –AMi counts each individually.

Chrysler

New horizons beckon for Chrysler as the influence of Fiat's investment becomes clearer in its product strategy.

An all-new market has been opened up with the launch of the Delta and Ypsilon, based on the Lancia models sold in mainland Europe.

Whereas the Grand Voyager is a niche offering with a £27,000 list price, the new models start from just over £10,000 and target one of the biggest sectors of the new car market.

If this takes sales back to where they were a few years ago, this may require a near doubling of its sales outlets.