During the same shareholders meeting yesterday in Turin, Sergio Marchionne told Fiat will publish official pictures of the new Fiat Viaggio (based on the Dodge Dart) next week. This new weapon from FGA will compete in the Chinese C-segment first of all before it will probably be exported to some European markets, according to insiders. The Fiat Viaggio (literally means ‘travel’) and Dodge Dart both share the same Compact-Wide platform and have a lot of other technical DNA in common based on the Alfa Giulietta. The new generation 1.4 MultiAir , the MultiJet Diesel and the TCT gearbox (not in the Dart) will make their presence in the Viaggio. Italian company Piaggio already has a presence in China; an easy connection and smart decision then in a region where a cars success can depend on the combination of numbers or words. Fiat finally hopes it can make its mark after some cautious first attempts.

Together with Chinese Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd, Fiat will initially produce around 170,000 vehicles per year. They currently have about 100 dealers in China where the exported 500, Bravo and Freemont are being sold. Those numbers will surely rise, particularly  when Jeep and Alfa Romeo will make their way to the Chinese market within the next few years. In two years time Fiat counts on 300,000 cars finding their way to Chinese ownership; right now that number is restricted to 20,000. During the press conference CEO Marchionne repeated Fiat is still actively looking  for a new partnership in Asia.