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Chrysler Could Sell Lancia Cars In Australia As The Two Brands Move To Merge

FIAT AND CHRYSLER CEO Sergio Marchionne is considering merging the product lines of Chrysler and Lancia, another Fiat-owned brand, according to reports out of Europe.
Speaking with press in Detroit recently, Marchionne said that any plan to offer re-badg


FIAT AND CHRYSLER CEO Sergio Marchionne is considering merging the product lines of Chrysler and Lancia, another Fiat-owned brand, according to reports out of Europe.

Speaking with press in Detroit recently, Marchionne said that any plan to offer re-badged Lancia models through the Chrysler brand would include the Australian market.

Mr Marchionne said that the major advantage to a potential merger is that Lancia currently offers no model larger than the Delta (above), and Chrysler has nothing in its line-up smaller than the Sebring sedan.

Bringing the two together would give both brands a full-line range.

Asked by GoAuto if a merger would see Lancia models offered in Australia, Mr Marchionne said: "Yes, you will. Fear not, you will.

To the extent that Lancia is not active, not present in any given jurisdiction, Chrysler will be with a combined offering of Lancia and Chrysler."

Mr Marchionne said that while Fiat had considered options for introducing the Lancia brand in export markets, the budget and resources weren't there.

While Lancia does not currently build any right-hand-drive models, Marchionne is reportedly keen to take the brand's models to the right-handed UK market.

Based on the Fiat Bravo platform, the Lancia Delta features a 1.8 litre 146kW 'DiTurbo' engine among its powertrain options. Official figures list a fuel economy of 7.8 l/100km, and a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.4 seconds.

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