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Fiat Chrysler Australia

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57-462: Stellantis (Australia and New Zealand) Pty Ltd (formerly FCA Australia ), is the official Stellantis subsidiary in Australia and New Zealand, operating as distributor of Chrysler, Jeep , Dodge , Abarth , Alfa Romeo , Fiat and Leapmotor vehicles. However, there had previously been a "Chrysler Australia Ltd" which had operated as a vehicle manufacturer in Australia from 1951 until 1980, and

114-628: A 118-inch wheelbase and was powered by a 318 cubic inch OHV V8 engine. The Phoenix name was derived from the Dodge Dart Phoenix, on which it was based. The RD4 Phoenix of 1961 used the cabin section of the PD4 with new front and rear bodywork. Dimensions remained unchanged, as did the mechanical specifications, again being based in the North American Dodge Dart. The SD2 of 1962 featured a shorter 116 inch wheelbase and

171-566: A 15 percent interest in the company in 1971, with the result that Chrysler Australia began building the Mitsubishi-designed Chrysler Valiant Galant . The association with Mitsubishi also gave Chrysler Australia another winner—the 1977 Chrysler Sigma . With a range of 4-cylinder "Silent Shaft" engines, competitive pricing, "Japanese" style and the availability of a luxurious "SE" version, with optional leather trim (an innovative sales approach in its era),

228-633: A 318 cubic inch V8 engine. All Phoenixes for Australia had right-hand drive. The Phoenix was subsequently restyled in line with the 1961 and 1962 Dodge Dart. For 1963 the new TD2 series Phoenix was derived from the US Dodge 440 , and for 1965 and beyond the Phoenix was based on the Canadian Plymouth Fury III . Like the 1965 Fury, the 1965 Phoenix featured vertically stacked headlamps . A four-door hardtop body style joined

285-464: A completely new body which was both shorter and narrower than its predecessor being now based on the downsized US Dodge Dart . The TD2 of 1963 was the first Phoenix to be based on the renamed Dodge 440 model, with Dodge moving the Dart name to the new compact A-body line. The 4 door sedan body style and the 318 cubic inch engine were retained. The VD2 Phoenix was introduced in 1964. The wheelbase

342-484: A further 385 in 1970. For the first time, DE models featured hidden, parallel-action windshield wipers. The body was completely new and featured the Plymouth Fury "Fuselage" curved sides. The DF Phoenix was introduced in 1970. Again it was marketed as the Phoenix 400 with sedans and hardtops carrying individually numbered dash plaques. 298 were built at Port Melbourne in 1970 and 110 in 1971. The DG Phoenix

399-728: A modified appearance would minimise the risk of accusations that Australia was selling "last year's model". Through the 1960s, Chrysler expanded the Valiant range, with 2-door hardtop, long wheelbase (VIP) and sporty (Pacer) variants. Also, in 1966, with the Chrysler USA acquisition of the British Rootes Group , Chrysler Australia took over the Rootes Australia as well as the operation of their Port Melbourne factory. The principal Rootes model sold in Australia

456-524: A new software development and engineering hub in Gliwice , Poland. On 26 October 2023, Stellantis acquired "approximately 20%" of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor in a transaction worth €1.5 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Stellantis gained exclusive rights to sell, export, and manufacture Leapmotor products outside of China under the newly established joint venture Leapmotor International. The joint venture will be registered in

513-579: A pre-merger premium to FCA shareholders. Exor, the Agnelli family company that was the largest shareholder of FCA, held the largest stake in Stellantis with 14.4%. The merger agreements allowed the Peugeot family to increase its current 7.2% stake in Stellantis by up to an additional 1.5% by acquiring shares from France's state lender Bpifrance , from Dongfeng , or on the market. The name Stellantis

570-610: A successful niche as an alternative to Australian prestige cars—generally extended-wheelbase versions of traditional Australian family cars—the Holden Statesman/Caprice and Ford Fairlane/LTD . In 2012, Chrysler Australia took over the distribution responsibilities for Alfa Romeo , Fiat and Fiat Commercial . In 2013, the RAM brand of trucks was introduced to the Australian market, converted locally by ASV , at

627-462: A then-novel wind-down rear window and tailgate. (Chrysler USA had acquired an interest in Simca in 1958, the basis for sourcing of this car). The assembly and marketing of Simca Aronde and Vedette models by Chrysler Australia was announced on 1 July 1959. In both 1958 and 1959, Chrysler Australia released Plymouth Belvedere , Dodge Custom Royal and DeSoto Firesweep models which were imported from

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684-462: A type of public company. In early 2019, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) sought a merger with French automaker Renault and reached a provisional agreement with the company. The behaviour of the French government during negotiations led to the abandonment of the deal; The Economist reported that "for FCA, this portended future interference". Nissan also had various concerns about the impact of

741-619: A years-long probe by the United States Department of Justice into the auto maker's efforts to evade emissions requirements for more than 100,000 older models. On 8 July 2022, Stellantis acquired the carsharing platform Share Now . Stellantis placed Share Now's operational management under Free2move . In November 2022, Stellantis acquired the Budapest -headquartered autonomous vehicle technology company aiMotive . On 15 February 2023, Stellantis said it would establish

798-466: Is a department led by director and senior vice president Jean-Marc Finot. It is responsible for the motorsport activities of the corporation's brands, divisions, and subsidiaries: The Stellantis Motorsport Racing Shop combines Citroën Racing, Peugeot Sport and Opel Motorsports' customer racing distribution and retail sales operations. It is also known as Peugeot Citroën Racing Shop and Peugeot Citroën Opel Racing Shop. The Stellantis Motorsport Cup

855-615: Is a rally competition run in Belgium, France and Spain using Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa Rally4 cars. The cup originated in Belgium and Luxembourg as PSA Motorsport Cup Belux. Stellantis is implementing its Dare Forward 2030 plan, focusing on electrification. The company aims to invest over €50 billion in this initiative over the next decade. This includes achieving 100% battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales for passenger cars in Europe and 50% BEV sales for passenger cars and light-duty trucks in

912-436: Is exclusively used to identify the corporate entity, while group brand names and logos remain unchanged. In 2021, CEO Carlos Tavares issued a challenge for the group's brands to prove themselves within a 10-year window, in exchange for much-needed investment in new models and technology. The group planned to have 29 electrified vehicle models available by the end of 2021. Stellantis planned to develop four EV platforms by

969-541: Is shown below. This list does not contain any discontinued brands owned by the company which has been placed into dormancy either directly or by its predecessor organisations. Following the 50% FCA and 50% PSA merger, the owners were: The executive board of Stellantis has 11 members. Six members come from PSA and leading shareholders ( Bpifrance , FFP), including Carlos Tavares , former CEO of PSA, and five others come from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and its main shareholder, Exor . Dodge Charger Stellantis Motorsport

1026-654: The Holden Special Vehicles facility in Clayton, Victoria . The Chrysler marque was withdrawn from the Australian market on 19 November 2021 as its only model, the Chrysler 300, has been discontinued. Stellantis Stellantis N.V. is a multinational automotive manufacturing company formed from the merger in 2021 of the Italian–American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and

1083-707: The Jeep Cherokee , then expanding the range to include the Chrysler Neon (discontinued in 2002) Grand Cherokee , Jeep Commander , PT Cruiser , Crossfire , 300C , Voyager and Dodge Caliber . Initially, the attraction of the Jeep range was "value for money" although the first cars became known for poor quality of construction. In the 2000s, a range of vehicles was imported from the United States, Canada, Mexico , and Austria. The Chrysler 300C found

1140-690: The Netherlands , and it also includes the possibility of producing the brand's cars in Europe if duties on Chinese cars are raised. The JV's target is 500,000 sales outside China by 2030. The company announced a 3 billion euro ($ 3.2 billion) share buyback in 2024. In March 2024, it was announced Stellantis had acquired a stake in the Grenoble -headquartered optical radar start-up, SteerLight. The company manufactures sensors for autonomous driving. The active brand portfolio of Stellantis as of 2023

1197-505: The 318 cid V8 engine and while the hardtop was fitted with a 383 cid V8. In the later part of 1967 Chrysler Australia shifted Phoenix assembly from Tonsley Park to its Port Melbourne facility. The 1968 Phoenix was coded DD. The main changes for 1968 were new rear sheet metal and new taillights. Round side marker lights were introduced, the same ones used on the North American Plymouth Fury. The DE Phoenix

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1254-529: The Adelaide suburb of Clovelly Park . An engine manufacturing plant was opened at Lonsdale in November 1967. These new factories replaced facilities at Keswick , Mile End and Finsbury . During this time, Chrysler Australia established its position as the third of the "Big 3" Australian motor manufacturers behind General Motors-Holden and Ford Australia . Beginning in 1962, Chrysler Australia assembled

1311-704: The American Plymouth Valiant , marketed as the Valiant by Chrysler . By 1963, they had developed a local version, the AP5 Valiant, with distinctive styling giving the car a separate identity from the US Plymouth and Dodge variants. The reason for developing different styling was concern that the local manufacturer could not afford to make substantial styling changes as quickly as in the US. Hence,

1368-653: The British hearse tradition. Although the 1965 and later Phoenixes were basically Plymouth Furys, they did feature the North American style full size Dodge Polara instrument panel (adapted for right hand drive). They also continued to use the old-fashioned "clapper" windshield wipers (while North American models used modern parallel-action wipers). After the Phoenix was discontinued, the Australian-developed Chrysler by Chrysler inherited

1425-685: The Dodge Kingsway Custom, Kingsway Crusader & Kingsway Coronet and the De Soto Diplomat Custom, Diplomat Regent & Diplomat Plaza. The Plymouth sedan was a popular choice for taxicab usage however the rise in popularity of the Holden during this decade led to the decline of this range of cars. In 1957, Chrysler Australia consolidated each of the badge-engineered marques in one car—the Chrysler Royal . This

1482-964: The French PSA Group . The company headquarters are located in Hoofddorp , Netherlands. As of 2023, Stellantis was the world's fourth-largest automaker by sales, behind Toyota , Volkswagen Group , and Hyundai Motor Group . In 2023, the company was ranked 61st in the Forbes Global 2000 . The company's stock is listed on the Borsa Italiana , Euronext Paris and the New York Stock Exchange . Stellantis designs, manufactures, and sells automobiles bearing its 14 brands: Abarth , Alfa Romeo , Chrysler , Citroën , Dodge , DS , Fiat , Jeep , Lancia , Maserati , Opel , Peugeot , Ram Trucks , and Vauxhall . At

1539-654: The Sigma marked Chrysler's sales comeback. Sigma soon became market leader in its class. In 1979, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation each acquired a one sixth equity in Chrysler Australia and in April 1980 the two companies purchased the remaining shares in the company from the US Chrysler Corporation, which was in bailout negotiations with the US government. The company name

1596-597: The US in CKD form and assembled at Chrysler's Adelaide facilities. The Plymouth was fitted with a 318-cubic-inch V8 engine and the Dodge and de Soto models featured a 361-cubic-inch V8. Assembly of the three models was discontinued in 1960 and they were replaced by a single model, the Dodge Phoenix , which was produced by Chrysler Australia through to 1973. In 1964, Chrysler opened its Tonsley Park assembly plant located in

1653-745: The United States by 2030. By then, Stellantis plans to have more than 75 BEV models available, targeting 5 million annual BEV sales globally. The strategy involves developing a variety of vehicle types with different battery technologies to maintain affordability and efficiency. Stellantis is using a mix of nickel- and cobalt-free, and nickel-based battery options, recently adding a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack for cheaper BEV variants. The plan also includes vehicles with front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive systems, and aims for driving ranges between 500 and 800 kilometers (300–500 miles). Furthering its commitment to sustainability beyond electrification, Stellantis introduced SUSTAINera . This initiative embodies

1710-484: The acquirer for accounting purposes, and statements reflect PSA's historical records. Per the filing, the Stellantis board had 11 directors, six from PSA and five from Fiat Chrysler. The new company's first CEO, vested with full authority to represent Stellantis, was Carlos Tavares, the former president of the PSA managing board, as well as former CEO of PSA Group, with a five-year term as Stellantis CEO. PSA shareholders paid

1767-417: The acquisition of B-Parts, a leading platform specializing in the sale of used auto parts. By integrating platforms like B-Parts into its aftermarket services, Stellantis aims to enhance resource efficiency and provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions. [REDACTED] Media related to Stellantis at Wikimedia Commons Dodge Phoenix The Dodge Phoenix is an automobile which

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1824-534: The company and others in the automotive industry. In June 2022, the company paused production at two French plants due to shortages in semiconductors. In April 2022, Stellantis halted operations in Russia due to logistical difficulties and the sanctions imposed on the country following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On 15 February 2024, Russian operators, collaborating with Dongfeng Motor Group , initiated

1881-471: The company's integrated ecosystem of circular economy activities. SUSTAINera focuses on extending the auto parts lifespan and reducing the use of natural resources by implementing the "4R" strategy: Reman, Repair, Reuse, and Recycle. This approach aims to decrease waste and pollution, contributing to Stellantis' objective of achieving carbon net zero by 2038. Following this goal, in 2020, Stellantis (then PSA Group) expanded its circular economy initiatives with

1938-433: The end of the 2020s. Overall, the company announced more than €30bn would be invested by the end of 2021. A network of charging stations started in November 2021. In the third quarter of 2021, Stellantis sales of new vehicles dropped due to issues related to the supply chain shortage of semiconductor chips used in their vehicles. Stellantis made an agreement with semiconductor manufacturer Foxconn to supply chips for

1995-512: The growth. Initially, Chrysler Australia assembled North American Chrysler passenger cars and trucks. Its most popular car in the 1950s was the US sourced badge engineered trio: Plymouth Cranbrook , Dodge Kingsway and De Soto Diplomat , each based on the 1954 US Plymouth . A coupe utility variant was also developed by Chrysler Australia and this was marketed in nine different versions; the Plymouth Cranbrook, Savoy & Belvedere,

2052-457: The memorable Valiant Charger . This was a short-wheelbase (105-inch) two-door hardtop version of the standard Valiant. The car had distinctive sporty styling, including an integrated rear spoiler. The base model Charger was A$ 2750, and the range extended upwards with high-performance and luxury models. Charger won the " Wheels " magazine Car of the Year award in 1971. It was also a winner in

2109-504: The production of new Citroën models at a majority owned Stellantis plant in Kaluga , Russia , despite Stellantis halting its Russian operations in April 2022. Stellantis claimed that it has "lost control of its entities in Russia." In May 2022, Stellantis pleaded guilty to criminal conduct and paid $ 300 million to settle a probe into its effort to illegally conceal the amount of pollution created by its diesel-engined vehicles. This settled

2166-541: The proposal on its alliance with Renault. Subsequently, FCA approached Peugeot S.A. (PSA). The merger, agreed to in December 2019, was to create the world's fourth-largest carmaker by global vehicle sales with expected annual cost savings of €3.7 billion, or about US$ 4.22 billion. On 21 December 2020, the European Commission approved the merger, while imposing minimal remedies to ensure competition in

2223-674: The rear of the car, while the front end gained dual (vertically stacked) headlights. These changes failed to arrest the slide in sales, as General Motors-Holden came to dominate the Australian market, and the Royal was viewed as being outmoded and expensive. Production ceased in 1963. The saving grace for Chrysler at this time was the French Simca Aronde —a popular 4-cylinder compact car which Chrysler Australia assembled from CKD kits at their Forestville factory. Local engineers developed an Aronde station wagon unique to Australia, with

2280-644: The role of the top level luxury model in Chrysler Australia's model range. The first Australian Dodge Phoenix, coded the PD4, was released in May 1960. A Canadian Dodge with a Plymouth dashboard, it was imported in CKD packs and assembled at Chrysler Australia's Mile End, South Australia Mile End facility. The PD4 Phoenix was offered only as a 4-door sedan, in two trim levels, the De Luxe and the Luxury Liner. The PD4 had

2337-667: The sales stakes, capturing the imagination of the Australian public in the same way as the Ford Mustang did in the US and the Ford Capri did in the UK. By the mid-1970s, sales of the Valiant range stalled, as a combination of factors worked against Chrysler Australia: In 1975, Chrysler introduced the Centura with a choice of a 2-litre (4-cylinder) and 3.5-litre or 4-litre (6-cylinder) engines, and two equipment levels, XL and GL. This

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2394-475: The sector. The merger was approved on 4 January 2021 by the shareholders of both FCA and PSA. The deal was completed on 16 January 2021, and the merged company was renamed to Stellantis N.V. the following day. Common shares of the new company began trading on the Milan Stock Exchange and Euronext Paris on 18 January 2021 and on the New York Stock Exchange on 19 January 2021, in each case under

2451-502: The sedan in 1967. The hardtop was fitted with a 383 cubic inch V8 engine whilst the sedan continued with the smaller 318 cubic inch V8. The two body styles continued to be offered until the Australian Phoenix was discontinued. In addition, variants of the slightly longer U.S. station wagon were sold from the beginning for duty as hearses. Eventually, these were modified with two doors and oversized rear quarter windows, in

2508-597: The supply of parts. By the time the car arrived in Australia, its appearance was dated and, as a result, the Centura did not generate significant market interest. A mild 'KC' Centura update in GL and GLX variants combined with a simplified choice of two versions of the 4-litre engine arrived in 1977, but the car then quietly disappeared from the market by the end of 1978. Chrysler Australia's parent company began working closely with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation after they acquired

2565-408: The ticker symbol "STLA". PSA merged with and into Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. as the surviving company in the merger. On 17 January 2021, the combined company was renamed Stellantis N.V. International Financial Reporting Standards , or IFRS, mandate the identification of the company acting as the acquirer and the company being acquired. Peugeot is considered

2622-604: The time of the merger, Stellantis had approximately 300,000 employees, a sales presence in more than 130 countries, and manufacturing facilities in 30 countries. The name comes from the Latin verb stello , in present participle with adjectival value stellans , and carries the meaning 'of that (Latin all-gender genitive suffix) that brightens/is adorned/belongs with stars'. N.V. stands for naamloze vennootschap , meaning ' nameless partnership ' in Dutch, referring to

2679-462: Was a facelifted version of the 1954 Plymouth that continued in production until 1963. The Royal was an automotive curiosity. Starting life as a side-valve 6-cylinder manual, with 3-speed manual column gearchange, it was progressively modified, with the addition of US sourced engineering features such as power steering , the push button "Powerflite" automatic transmission and an OHV V8. On the styling front US "Forward Look" style tailfins were grafted on

2736-700: Was a medium-sized competitor for the Holden Torana and the Ford Cortina . The 'KB' Centura was based on the European Chrysler 180 (which had been introduced in Europe in 1970), with facelifted front and rear styling (reputedly based on the intended design for a Sunbeam version of this car, which never reached production). The launch of the Centura was delayed by several years as a result of embargoes placed on French imports, due to France conducting Pacific nuclear bomb tests , which impeded

2793-634: Was based on a US engine design for trucks, it was never produced in North America. The Valiant was a good seller, but never quite gained the level of market acceptance as its major competitors—the Holden and the Falcon . In 1971, Chrysler Australia released the Valiant VH model (still based on the US A-Body platform ), it was significantly wider than earlier Valiants, with the lineup including

2850-653: Was changed to Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited on 1 October 1980. Mitsubishi continued to build the Valiant models with Chrysler badging until August 1981 and production of the Sigma range continued under the Mitsubishi name until 1987. Colt , Magna , Verada and 380 models were subsequently produced before production of passenger vehicles was discontinued in March 2008. The company continues to operate today as one of Australia's major importers of road vehicles. Chrysler returned to Australia in 1994, initially importing

2907-504: Was in Adelaide from 1953 and Perth and Brisbane assembly ceased in 1954. The company had several facilities at Finsbury in Adelaide's northwest. The trim shop (car seats and interiors) and steel pressings (chassis components) produced components which were sent to Keswick for assembly. Chrysler also had an aircraft division which manufactured components for Canberra bombers , Jindivik drones and Winjeel trainers. Chrysler recruited both local men and young single men from interstate to staff

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2964-518: Was introduced in 1969. The new model featured horizontal dual headlights, and a 120-inch wheelbase. Overall length was now 214.5 inches. It was marketed as the 400 Limited Edition series with each car carrying a numbered dashboard badge. Production was planned to be limited to 400 sedans and 400 hardtops, although actual production did not reach 400 units of either. 371 examples of the DE were built at Chrysler Australia's Port Melbourne facility in 1969 and

3021-455: Was now 119 inches and the overall length increased by four inches to 212. The VD2 was based on the 1964 North American Dodge 440. The AP2D Phoenix was introduced in 1965. This model was a rebadged Canadian Plymouth Fury III , a strategy that Chrysler Australia would continue through to the end of 1972. The 1965 model featured vertically stacked four-headlight frontal styling. The 318 cubic inch engine were retained. A Plymouth hood ornament

3078-485: Was produced by Chrysler Australia from 1960 to 1972. The Phoenix was introduced in May 1960 as an Australian assembled version of the American Dodge Dart , positioned above the locally developed Chrysler Royal as Chrysler Australia’s luxury model. It borrowed its name from the top Dart, the Dodge Dart Phoenix, but unlike its American namesake it was offered only as a four-door sedan and only with

3135-541: Was subsequently taken over by Mitsubishi Motors Australia . Chrysler Australia Ltd was established in June 1951 when the Chrysler Corporation acquired Chrysler Dodge Distributors (Holdings) Pty Ltd , a company which had been formed in 1935 by 18 independent distributors. During the 1950s and 1960s, Chrysler made a substantial investment in Australian manufacturing facilities. It consolidated assembly from other state capitals to its expanding operations in Adelaide. Vehicle production for Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales

3192-417: Was the Hillman Hunter and this car became a steady seller for Chrysler until 1973. In 1970, they introduced the unique-to-Australia "Hemi" 6-cylinder engine —launched with an endorsement from Stirling Moss . Billed as being "Right—for all the right reasons", this engine went on to become the most powerful 6-cylinder engine produced in Australia (equipped with triple Weber carburettors ). Though this engine

3249-419: Was used, with the Dodge "Fratzog" superimposed over the Plymouth outline. The 1966 Phoenix was coded DB6. Changes follow the 1966 Fury III; a new grille, revised rear panels, new taillights and a new bootlid. The 1967 Phoenix was coded as the DC series. It was the first Phoenix to be available with a choice of bodystyles, a 4-door hardtop now offered in addition to the 4 door sedan. The sedan retained

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