FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) bids farewell to two of its car brands in South Africa, with the Chrysler and Dodge vehicle ranges no longer being available locally.
FCA, which also produces Jeep, Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles, said: “This unfortunate situation has arisen from our principals in the USA no longer building Chrysler or Dodge vehicles in Right Hand Drive configuration.
“We will, however, continue to support and service the existing Chrysler and Dodge vehicles through our franchise dealers.”
In May General Motors announced that it would withdraw from the South African market, ceasing production and sales of Chevrolet models in the country, while the Citroën and Daihatsu brands have also exited.
Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa and Chrysler South Africa, responsible for the sales and after-sales business of the Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Fiat Professional, MOPAR, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands, and have existed side-by-side in the South African market since 2012.
“The National Sales Companies of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) have been operating locally as separate financial entities for the past five years, albeit under one management team, and are due to take the next step towards full integration under the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles South Africa (FCASA) banner from early in 2018,” FCA said in a statement.
It said that 2017 has been a challenging year for the motor industry as a whole, “and the FCA brands have not quite taken their fair share of the demanding market conditions”.
With 2017 drawing to a close, it pointed out that the Alfa Romeo brand will launch the Stelvio SUV, the first SUV from the marque, towards the end of the year, while in 2018, the FCA expansion is set to continue with new models being launched locally including the all-new Jeep Compass in the first quarter, and the Jeep Wrangler replacement later in the year.
In between these models, the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, powered by a supercharged 707 HP V8 engine, will also make its local debut. “Numerous new model additions will also be added to the various Italian brands to keep the lineups fresh,” the group said.
In addition to the product lineups, FCA will also be expanding its dealer network with new dealerships being planned for Sandton, Fourways, Menlyn and Durban following the consolidation of our dealer network in 2017.
FCA will have 42 Service and Parts to ensure a greater reach to aftersales customers.
By: Businesstech