You know I must say, this Chrysler-Fiat deal is looking better all the time. Long story real short, through platform swappage and localized manufacturing, Chrysler’s relationship with Fiat should yield seven — count ‘em – seven new cars for us Yanks here in America. Most importantly (to me) is Fiat’s scrappy little 500. If you dig back through your memory you’ll remember a bunch of noise from last Spring where Fiat kept saying, “Yeah, we want you to have the Cinquecento, but we want to build it in North America.” Well, nothing beats a bunch of less-than-fully utilized Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep plants. Especially that Mexican Chrysler plant that builds the dying PT Cruiser and the unlovable Dodge Journey. Idle hands are tools of the Italians! But wait, there’s more!

Can I interest you in an Alfa Romeo MiTo? Yes! What about other Alfas? Not sure, but Chrysler could replace their frankly wretched Sebring/Avenger crap cars with vehicles built off Alfa’s new C-segment platform (the replacement for the 147). And hey, why not bring us the 147’s replacement (codename: 940). And the Brera. And the 159. And the GT. And the Spider. 

On the Fiat front, look for the pretty OK Panda to show up, possibly badged as both a Fiat and a Dodge. Or maybe just a Fiat. Or Just a Dodge. Chrysler’s also after Alfa’s 1.4-liter turbo to not only help with CAFE, but to shove into A and B-segment cars. Like maybe even Fiat’s Grand Punto (Abarth variant shown above). Wrapping it up, Chrysler needs small, desireable cars (Caliber: out!) and Fiat needs a North American foothold both in terms of dealers and manufacturing facilities in North America. Win-win says me. [Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]