| 04.01.2003 |
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After feverent speculation
that has seen Fiat shares climb 12% in two days, former Telecom Italia
CEO, Roberto Colininno has confirmed in a statement released yesterday,
that he would be making a "friendly" bid for the Fiat Group. |
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| 03.01.2003 |
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Maserati have released first
images of the Kubang GT Wagon, a concept which paves the way for the the
marque's entry into the Sports Utility market next year. It will make its
public debut at next weeks North American Motor Show in Detroit. The Kubang,
is based around a heavily revised version of the Buran MPV which made its
first public appearance at the beginning of 2001. Maserati's first SUV
will then enter production in August 2004. |
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| 01.01.2003 |
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Stories have swirled over
the last few days in the Italian press linking takeover expert Roberto
Colannino with an €8 billion plan for the Fiat Group. Colannino, who
mounted a successful takeover of Italian phone giant Telecom Italia in
1999, is believed to have a proposal to invest around €1bn of his
own money, the rest coming from asset sales, a capital increase and forging
an agreement with GM for greater imput in exchange for invalidating the
key buy option. |
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| 30.12.2002 |
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The ageing current Fiat
Punto, which undergoes its third and final facelift in June, will receive
an all-new front end styled around that of the Fiat Stilo. Meanwhile the
Fiat Multipla, praised continually by motoring journalists but never accepted
by car buyers, will have its outrageous looks toned down when a revised
version goes on sale in 2004. |
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| 27.12.2002 |
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Further artists impressions
of the Lamborghini Gallardo, and images of disguised prototypes caught
testing, have emerged. The 'Baby Lambo', internally codenamed project L140,
will make its debut at next March's Geneva Motor Show. |
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| 27.12.2002 |
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Fiat have agreed to sell
their stake in General Motors, fractionally under 6%, for a price around
US$1.16 billion. The 32.05 million shares were aquired by Fiat in an equity
swap with the US giant carmaker General Motors which took up 20% of Fiat
Spa along with an option to buy Fiat from January 2004. Last week Fiat
also sold a 51% stake in Fidis, the customer financing arm, a move that
will further reduce net debt. |
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| 24.12.2002 |
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The influential fortnightly
'Automotive News Europe', the European edition of the American magazine
'Automotive News', has elected Cristina Siletto as 'Woman of the Year 2002'.
This prize rewards the determination and professional skills of this Fiat
Auto engineer who leads the 199 Project, the car which will replace the
Fiat Punto in 2005. |
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| 24.12.2002 |
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Further images of the new
facelifted Fiat Barchetta coupe have emerged. The ageing shape is still
mainly original, with a few cosmetic extra details that add impact. The
front is dominated by a new front grille, an enormous horizontal black
mouth that makes the model look more aggressive. This impression is reinforced
by a bigger exhaust tail-pipe, revised headlamps, more up-to-date bumpers
at front and rear and foglights as standard throughout the range. |
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| 24.12.2002 |
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The Fulvia will make a comeback
when Lancia unveil a concept car at March's Geneva Motor Show which will
draw heavily on the 1970's 2+2 sports coupe for inspiration. Designed by
Centro Style, Zagato has been involved in the project, based around the
Fiat Barchetta. |
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| 23.12.2002 |
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For the first time in over
10 years Lamborghini will offer a two model range when the 'Baby Lambo',
internally codenamed project L140, makes its debut at next March's Geneva
Motor Show. Lamborghini have confirmed that the car, to be called Gallardo,
will be powered by an all-new 500bhp V10 engine. |
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| 23.12.2002 |
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The 156 GTAm displayed at
the Bologna Motor Show gives pointers to Alfa Romeo's future direction:
The 166GTA which arrives in 2003 will use the GTAm's 3.5-litre V6 engine.
Built by N-Technology, the 156GTAm transfers racing technology from this
year's 156GTA SuperTouring race cars which swept all before them in the
European Touring Car Championship into a car designed for the road and
is fitted with an increased capacity version of the 147GTA and 156GTA's
3.2-litre V6 engine. |
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| 21.12.2002 |
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The end of year "Maestri
del Lavoro" awards ceremony in Turin, rewards employees of the Fiat Group
for outstanding achievements and recognition of accomplishments. Embattled
Fiat Group Chairman Paolo Fresco took the opportunity of the occasion to
deliver a fighting speech, rebuffing much of the recent wild speculation
that has swirled around the crisis stricken auto division and emphasise
that the restructuring plan was still on track. |
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| 20.12.2002 |
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The President of the Italian
Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, is expected to take delivery of the first
Maserati Quattroporte to leave the factory, after being impressed by top
secret images of the finished car. Meanwhile Maserati are planning to create
a special luxury limousine ( Royal ) version of the Quattroporte in 2004
which will be powered by the Ferrari Enzo's 6.0-litre V12 engine. |
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| 20.12.2002 |
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The replacement for the
long serving Ferrari 456GT large "Grand Tourer" is expected to make its
debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Continuing the two door, four
seat, front engine theme of the original car, which made its debut way
back in 1992, the new model will receive the Enzo's 6.0-litre V12 engine. |
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| 19.12.2002 |
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Alfa Romeo have judged the
27th Bologna Motor Show to have been an outstanding success. Headlined
by the Brera which they have today stated will form the styling basis for
a new sportscar built around the 156 replacement, the official press release
issued today confirms a totally new model range by 2007, comprising of
16 new products and 10 new models. |
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| 18.12.2002 |
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Maserati are planning to
show off a SUV ( Sports Utility Vehicle ) concept at the Detroit Motor
Show which opens its doors early next month. The concept, which aims to
test public opinion on a Maserati SUV, is based around a heavily revised
version of the Buran MPV which made its first public appearance at the
beginning of 2001. |
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| 17.12.2002 |
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It is strongly rumoured
that Lamborghini will unveil an open topped version version of the 6.2-litre
V12 powered Murcielargo at next months Detroit Motor Show. Designed by
Belgian Audi stylist Luc Donkerwolke the Murcielargo Roadster is described
as "stunning" by project insiders. |
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| 16.12.2002 |
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Friday's Fiat board meeting
confirmed the appointment of Alessandro Barberis as Fiat's new CEO, replacing
Gabriele Galateri who resigned on Tuesday. Meanwhile restructuring options
continue unabated at Fiat as the GM 'put' option is expected to be cancelled
out. |
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| 15.12.2002 |
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New Italian models and concepts
have been well received at the Bologna Motor Show, which finished today.
Two Italian stars have been the Lancia Thesis-based Grandturismo concept
and the Fiat Simba mini-off roader which gives pointers to next year's
Panda/Seicento replacement. |
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