Chrysler Could Use Fiat, Iveco to Replace Sprinter

The newly-formed alliance with Turin-based carmaker Fiat could allow Chrysler find a replacement for the Sprinter, after Daimler AG announced it will no longer provide the model to the American company. Chrysler is currently selling the van in the US as Dodge Sprinter but, following Daimler's announcement that it will discontinue this particular model in the United States, the company is now forced to seek alternative solutions.

One of them would be to sell the Fiat Ducato or Iveco Daily, Gualberto Ranieri, vice president of public relations for the U.S. company, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg. Even if the plan exists, a decision is yet to be made, so further information is expected in the upcoming weeks.

Both Fiat's and Iveco's models are similar to the Sprinter but none of them is currently sold in the United States. Trough this plan, Fiat could continue its product expansion plan and launch the van, together with other models already confirmed for the US launch, in Chrysler's domestic market.

The Sprinter posted very disappointing figures in the last few months, in spite of the significant boost of the auto sector supported by the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). Chrysler delivered a total of 4,605 Dodge Sprinters in the first eight months of this year, which represents a 56 percent decrease compared to the same period last year.

Fiat hasn't commented the report so far but, taking into account the Italian company's plans for the United States, seeing either the Ducato or the Daily in this yet unexplored market, is a very likely scenario. The question is actually when is Fiat planning to bring the vans in the US...