Lancia Motor Club

well today my fellow Lancia lovers we got the first look at Lancia's new Ypsilon & revised Delta, due in Ireland & Uk from September & June respectively. So, what do you guys think, would a Chrysler badge stop you buying either car?

http://www.lanciapress.com/index.php?lng=2&group=2&method=cartelle&action=article&id=11252

http://www.lanciapress.com/index.php?lng=2&group=2&method=cartelle&action=article&id=11256

Personally it wouldn't stop me, i'd simply just swap the badges back. Of the two, Delta would be my choice, Ypsilon is just too small, & i've loved the look of Delta since it was launched at Geneva in 2008

Also details were released today of the new Thema, Flavia, Flavia Convertible, & Grand Voyager. These cars are causing a huge amount of controversy as they are simply re-badged Chryslers. Can't see the harm myself, Lancia's for the past two decades have been nothing more than re-badged Fiats! As i've said on other forums, these cars may not be to everyone's taste, but Lancia need new models & quickly to kick start sales, & hopefully the ROI will be quite high, so Fiat's next round of Chrysler/Lancia (starting in 2013 with the all new 200/Flavia) will be more in keeping with what we hope will be a brighter future for Lancia....

http://www.lanciapress.com/index.php?lng=2&group=2&method=cartelle&action=article&id=11253

http://www.lanciapress.com/index.php?lng=2&group=2&method=cartelle&action=article&id=11254

http://www.lanciapress.com/index.php?lng=2&group=2&method=cartelle&action=article&id=11255

Hi,

This news have also come to the Swedish press and there is quite a discussion ongoing amongst the members of the Alfa Romeo club, sadly nothing from the Lancia Swedish club. Opinions are that the new "Lancias" look like elephants and that they have nothing from the elegance of the past. This is expected seeing that they did not even bother to design new cars based on Chrysler's platform. I have problems in thinking of Lancia fans that are willing to buy such a car and then think that they are driving a Lancia. Badge re-engineering is a concept that is rarely successful and I do not think that this case will be any different. I only hope that it is the first step and soon we shall see new designs and new engines based on these platforms .

Best regards

Dimitris Lyris

How about the UK/Ireland Chrysler dealerships give the customer a series of "Lancia option upgrade packages" from a simple badge swap (minimal cost), a grille (like the current Starech Bentley option grilles on the 300C) and a series of luxury/sport packs/engine upgrades i.e. keep the Chrysler versions as the good value entry packages still with better than average equipment levels in class for your money with the opportunity to  upgrade to Lancia Spec whereby you get all the luxuries and quality associated with prestigious/larger cars yet still be serviced at the same cost.

What would have to be guaranteed from the dealerships, however would be resale values to match the Germans, hopefully this should not be too hard as I imagine the Lancia packages would be less common and cared for better, therefore more sought after come trade in time.
 
Like everything a good marketing package to get the correct message across would be absolutely vital and dealerships (still not too clever in current Chrysler/Fiat Group circles) need to be top notch both pre and after sales. Can they show the passion and deliver it?

I had queried with Fiat Ireland the possibility of getting something like badge packages to convert Chryslers into Lancia's & they flatly rejected the idea, said basically if i wanted to buy a Lancia i'd have to import one! Fiat just haven't a clue do they!

As it happens, the Dealership I work for will be taking on Chrysler. No sign of any updates as yet to parts information. Jeep has appeared on our 'warranty' sections.
If and when I see anything I'll post a notification.

Badge Engineering can work if its done properly. Ford Australia only really produced one platform the Falcon, so for their mid and small car range they used Mazda. It wasn't a badge swap, but a redesign of the face (front wings, bonnet, Grille and bumpers), lights front and rear as well as some of the inside. Holden did it with less success using Nissan and Toyota as that was just a badge swap. The 'World Car' put an end to all this.

Kev, are you still in Donohoes?Am i right in thinking Chrysler distribution in Ireland is now going to be controlled by Fiat? hey don't forget to give us the inside line where Delta & Ypsilon land! ;D

A good idea - smart do this with the Brabus brand. They now offer Brabus Tailormade, where customers can have any part of their car cosmetically modified at the factory, without affecting warranties. The most extreme example I've seen is a ForTwo Brabus Tailormade in Gulf colours (which means lots of orange interior detailing), yours for just £22,000  :o. I suppose Fiat are already doing the same uber-brand concept with Abarth ie it's not a Fiat 500 Abarth Esse Esse, it's an Abarth 500 Esse Esse.

I recently visited Auto Halan in Amsterdam and was told that if any member does buy a Chrysler badged Lancia, then Auto Halan should be able to supply Lancia badges if anybody requires them.  It may be worth contacting them to confirm this before placing any orders.

Nope, I left just before Christmas. I'm now with www.bodvss.ie which was originally the parts distrubutor for Ireland. Since Jan it added Fiat and Alfa Romeo parts, and from later this year will add Chrysler parts. I'm the Fiat and Alfa person...

Interesting take on the whole Chrysler-Lancia merge on the Contract hire and leasing website (www.contracthireandleasing.com)

Overall a good article and not as bad as one would suppose from the opening comments and headline., I've left a comment as no doubt others here will.

Brian
8227 8)

Good article and a positive summation of the hard nosed rationale for the merger, and the potential positive benefits of it.

ahhhh, nice to see a different take on it and it does make sense to me. Least I will be able to say Ypsilon :)

I think the moderator must take the weekend off, since no posts have made it up yet, yours or mine...

A video of the new Thema launch... http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/03/videos-eminem-meets-italian-opera-at.html (http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/03/videos-eminem-meets-italian-opera-at.html)

Nice on the inside, but that nose and tail show no respect for Lancia's lineage. Not for me... sorry Lancia. Must try harder!

With Chrysler's soon to be announced RHD 2012 model year line up- Ypsilon, Delta, 200, 300 & Grand Voyager (all to be badged elsewhere in Europe as Lancia's) on the horizon what realistic chance do the UK car buying public have of purchasing RHD Lancia versions?

Reading previous forum posts & VL letters, it would appear that not many members including myself would entertain purchasing a new Chrysler but would a new Lancia version as a daily driver and I am sure -although I cannot back up this claim- this could also be true that many UK car buyers who would never consider a US brand may consider a European one.

I recall that when GM decided to pull Opel out of the UK (but not Ireland) and rely on Vauxhall to bring in the sales, the people who drove Opels where disappointed so when the time came to replace their vehicles they either bought an Opel as a RHD European import directly from abroad or through car supermarkets (Trade Sales/Motorpoint/Motorhouse spring to mind) or went to other brands as these people considered Opel's to be cooler and better (although they weren't) than Vauxhalls. It is the same case here especially as the Lancia versions do without the crass grilles and badging of the Chrysler versions. In the rest of Europe Lancias are seen as upmarket versions in their market sectors alongside the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi etc whereas Chrysler's not going to be marketed that way.

You would think that the LMC through its established members and their contact with Italy could perhaps persuade Fiat to open just one Lancia dealership (servicing should be available through any Alfa/Chrysler/Fiat centres) whereby Lancia's could be sold to get a feel for their future big picture, I mean there should be no big deal with RHD Lancias on the production line, it's just the set up of the dealership costs but this could be done by adding to an existing Alfa/Maserati franchise.

I am sure that there are individual LMC members who have contacts with overseas dealerships eg Paul Baker in Italy and Stuart Wilson in Holland who could arrange for RHD Lancias to be purchased by UK customers. The problem here is purchasing power and relative cost of pound v euro where currently cars on the continent now cost more than their UK equivalents which is a complete turn around from years gone by. This would result in the purchase price being potentially thousands higher than for the equivalent Chrysler or other competitor. The UK buying public also want specialist finance deals, PCP's & PCH's etc which would not work with an overseas supplier who would be left with a RHD car in a LHD market come trade in time.

These finance deals will be available at Chrysler dealerships, but who of our members would realistically consider a Chrysler, I am sure there are some (you earns your money and you make your choice), but surely it would be better for all to drive a Lancia (if only in badge alone) everyday. I will not purchase a Chrysler Delta when my current Alfa Brera contract ends in January, but I would definitely purchase a Lancia Delta (subject to agreeable deal) before a Giulietta, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, Saab, Honda, Volvo or VW etc.

Who's up for a poll to see who would be interested in a new Lancia from a UK dealer, then we could put it forward to our contacts at Fiat.

I for one would be up for a new Lancia Delta. The problem is I don't see Fiat allowing any RHD Deltas or Ypsilons to be badged Lancia in the UK as they are trying to build the Chrysler brand here, although they are using two Lancia products initially, and they will probably forbid RHD UK cars to come out of the factory with anything other than Chrysler badges.

The only way to get your UK Chrysler Delta to be badged a Lancia will be to retro fit once purchased which obviously means a cost implication. Other points to consider are that the V5 will state that the car is a Chrysler rather than a Lancia and even changing the badges on a car is considered a modification where insurance companies are concerned.

We shall see but I would suggest that Chrysler for the UK only is Fiat will want to play it.

i have thought long & hard about this ever since Fiat announced Delta would be re-badged as a Chrysler for UK & Ireland. I've come to the conclusion that i'd certainly buy a Chrysler Delta, & re-badge it. Surely someone on ebay is going to see the potential here & maybe offer re-badging kits!!

I'm looking forward to Sept when i can test drive both Delta & Ypsilon.

The big difference here is Chrysler dealers i've spoken to are very keen to get going on the new cars, whereas Fiat dealers weren't exactly over the moon about being stuck with Lancia!

I spoke to karl Dorgan of FIAT IRELAND  about the new Delta and Thema, He is head of second hand car sales, ex hire drive fleets ect. He is also a member of our club here in Ireland. We discussed the chances of Fiat re-badging the Delta and he seems to think there would be no problem re-badging the Delta , no problem ! but for a fee, he reckons around €850.00 to do everything  I notice in the video's on U Tube there is a lLancia crest in the instrument display, I wonder can this be changed ? . The only problem is the cars registration document, it would state Chrysler Delta. ???

£850 is probably about right as the grilles will require changing too. Hopefully the big wide Chrysler badges are raised above the Lancia badge recesses and not recessed themselves (big pressing cost so doubt it) so that when they are removed the Lancia replacements fit straight in or else all the affected panels will require replacement.

As an aside has anyone considered a RHD conversion on a used 2008 onwards Delta, with prices starting about £10k abroad how easy & how much would it cost to convert. Is there a market for it, like anything else if enough interest the cost will come down and then perhaps we can all drive about in "real" RHD Lancias again.

Not should how you would stand nowadays being that everything these days has to have a certificate of conformity, or even with type approval, although if Lancia are making RHD for Chrysler it shouldn't be a problem once the RHD in Chrysler form are introduced here.

Brian
8227 8)

I was at Goodwood today at the Moving Motor Show, no sign of Chrysler, most the big car manufacturers were there, it could have been a a good opportunity to show the new cars. So I managed to drive a new Alfa instead up the hill which was fun.

I tought we would have had a new delta for our stand at the Terenure classic car show. Karl dorgan was telling me that there was  a consignment on its way from Chrysler and he tought there would be a Delta with it. But unfortunatly No, Just a load of Jeeps ???

It all seems to have gone quiet, even on Chryslers website there is no information just a blank page about vision for 2011 with important new models. Come on it's nearly 2012 and no announcement dates and no prices.

The Delta was first coming in Jan '09 as a Lancia then July '09 but the economic climate so called put paid to that, then it was June 2011 as a Chrysler yet here we are in July and still no sign of anything!

In What Car? it usually gives dates for up coming new cars with the Delta for June and Ypsilon for September but in this months mag both have been withdrawn from the list although there is the road test of the Ypsilon which does not fare too well with only two out of five blobs scored.

The pictures of it also in What Car? does it no favours in white, it looks like a scaled down PT Cruiser with it's raised bonnet (Ideal for Chrysler) from the front and a Nissan Juke from behind, but we really need to see it in the flesh.

On Chrysler's Irish website they list the Delta & Ypsilon as "coming soon" models. I've been in contact with Chrsyler Ireland & they're waiting on approval to list info on the new models. On Chrysler Ireland Facebook page they are showing images of Delta & Ypsilon.

The last I heard was that the Delta was going to be available for order from June, for September delivery (some prices were released a few weeks ago) and that the Ypsilon was slated for a December launch here.  However Paul has picked up on exactly the point I've made in my upcoming VL column (on a doormat near you in about a week and a half...), that there is nothing at all on the Chrysler UK website - not even some taster information.  If orders were being taken in June, the very least I would have expected online would have been brochures, specs and one of these interactive 'build your car' things (they are great fun...) - but it does seem awfully quiet at present, and as Neil and Dave point out, if they were on the ball about generating orders, you'd surely expect the cars to be at some of the summer shows, raising interest and awareness.  It does worry me slightly - and the shame is that we know from having the Delta on our stand at the NEC two years running that it is a car which attracts attention and interest.  Chrysler dealers sound keen, so what's the issue?  I may be putting two and two together and making five again, but could it be cold feet once again with the clouds gathering over consumer spending and disposable income?  It was the sudden impact of the recession which killed the prospect of Lancia coming back in late 2008/early 2009 (we know that even then the cars had been engineered for RHD), and I'm worried about a repeat...

EDIT to reflect Toby's comment - that sounds hopeful.  But why are they still waiting for approval?  One wonders whether it is merely organisational delay, or top level policy being rethought...?

€850!!!! someone on ebay is bound to undercut that!!  ;D

As this is Fiat, its probably organisational delay!!! I notice on one of the Chrysler dealer sites here that they've listed Delta as coming soon.

It does seem like the UK site is particularly behind the times, having looked at the Irish site.  Guess we're just waiting...

€850 sounds like a lot of cash for conversion, but if the car is delivered with everything attached it's not bad value. The Fiat 500 we bought in 2008 had the chrome pack fitted before delivery and Fiat charged an extra €1000.00 for few bits of trim one of which was fitted on the bonnet off center. :)

Fiat do know how to charge don't they! ;D

In IRL The 1st of June was the 'official' change (from a parts perspective at least) over, with Chryser joining Fiat. All the existing Chryser Dealerships found themselves to be unable to order parts. In one bizzare case, an existing Chryser Dealer, who is also a Fiat and Alfa Dealer also found thmselves unable to order parts. I had a request from one of our customers to order a part for a jeep, as when he called into his local Jeep Dealership, they told him he would have to go to a Fiat Dealer. At present there are 2 Chrysler /Jeep Dealers in Dublin, with maybe 5 or 6 for the rest of the country. As most, if not all of these also hold multiple franchises.  I would also go so far as to say that those previous Chrysler Dealers who 'lost out' when the changeover occured, are probably not that bothered. I would also surmise that the last thing on any of their minds, would be Lancia.

Fiat/Chrysler need to get their act together quick. The Delta (Lancia) has been on sale in mainland Europe for three years now so is at least a four year old design. It has just had it's mid life "nip & tuck" so it's replacement must be in the pipeline (2013-14?). At this rate by the time it gets here it will be left behind by all its fresher rivals (Astra/Focus/Giulietta/Golf etc) and at the end of this year there is the new A3 & 1-series with a new A-Class coming early 2012.

It was a fantastic car at launch but time moves on so I can see it being criticised when it eventually get's here despite being good value, spacious, well equipped and relatively well screwed together.

When the Ypsilon & delta do finally arrive in UK dealerships there is a company out there that will convert Chryslers to Lancia spec or simply import  new RHD Lancias from the continent. This way they will be registered as Lancias. They will also import and ensure UK legislation of used LHD Lancia's so they claim. Final details are TBC, however have a look at their website www.superveloce.net

Does anyone know of them?

Finally, some movemet on the Chrysler UK website. Two logos featuring the Delta and Ypsilon but when you click on them it comes up with a "register your interest form" and that's it!

I have just taken delivery of a 2007 LHD Ypsilon from Mark Robbins who runs Superveloce. It took some time to source/drive back/make street legal/pass VOSA/DVLA/HMRC requirements. I can say that VOSA have raised the bar considerably with regard to accepting personal imports even from the EU (parallel import). It had to have an IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) so the car is scrutinized to a level above MOT. This has come about because of the low standard of grey imports mainly from Japan. Mark personally guided the Ypsilon through all these hurdles. The contradictory bureaucracy drove me mad! However, it was worthwhile and I am very pleased with the result and professional way Mark handled it all. I know he is involved with FIAT UK in getting the Chrysler rebadged as a Lancia and he has an order already!   

That's very interesting.  Does it indicate that Fiat knows there are customers in the UK who are much more likely to buy the cars with a Lancia badge, and is prepared to bend the rules a little to facilitate rebadging?  Sounds encouraging if this is the case.

My local Chrysler dealer (Drayton Wolverhampton) has "Delta is coming" displayed prominently across it's windows. I'm surprised they're not trailing the Ypsilon more.

Currently in the US on holiday at the moment - when the kids are in bed I get to watch some US television (yuch)

there are Chrysler ads running currently re the 2011 model line up & the Delta is definitely missing from these, so looks as if it's a little slow over here too.
Have seen 2 Fiat 500s on the roads here though.

I don't believe Delta and Ypsilon are going to make it to the US. Shame, they could have easily exploited the wave of interest that's carried the 500 along.

Yeah both Delta & Ypsilon American adventures have been canned as fiat think the Ypsilon will simply clash with 500, & Dodge will get their own version of Alfa's Giulietta so Chrysler doesn't see the need for Delta also.

Got a phonecall to say something had landed in Dublin today... (Crappy phone pics  :-\ )
 
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uXgo3B20o8E/Tk1rPjOZE3I/AAAAAAAAAt4/ypPPc5gpJDo/s640/Image0079.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_52XCafQvwk/Tk1rOsE4GcI/AAAAAAAAAt0/6gdsUpB3x1I/s640/Image0080.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LQ-nk4RyriY/Tk1rQKuTmkI/AAAAAAAAAt8/5rbTO8rTyPo/s640/Image0081.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jszuAZ6szJ0/Tk1rRDYXZOI/AAAAAAAAAuA/APdZUR-Bvws/s640/Image0082.jpg)

Notice the wonky Chrysler badge (soon to be replaced by a straight Lancia one no doubt  ;D )

I still like them, but just as they arrive, I'm leaving...  No sign of them making it to Australia.

I should have took a photo of the inside to show it in right hand drive, looking at the profile you can see the new Megane from Renault and a few other modern cars actually I think the design Is better now concidering it's 4yrs old at this stage and the rest have caught up !  :)

I can't wait to see one in ireland. As soon as i get word of word in a dealership i'm there!! I might be one of the few people think the new grille actually suits Delta better than the original one....I'll leave now..... ;D

Don't forget yer coat......
;-})

I went to the Chrysler dealership in Carlisle today to see the Delta there.  I have to say that having seen the car with the new grille, it really does no favours to the car whatsoever.  I would even go as far as saying that if it had the new grille at its initial launch, I wouldn't have bought one.  I also think that the badge on the rear hatch looks too big and out of place. 

I spoke to the salesman about the car, trying to find out prices, but he said he didn't know.  He even said that he was less than enthusiastic about the car.  He then went on to tell me that the car had only been launched in Italy a couple of months ago.  He was rather perplexed when I told him that the Delta had actually been on sale in Italy for nearly three years and that I have had one for two years with the proper badge on it!

While at the dealership, I picked up a brochure which I later showed my mother.  She said exactly the same about the grille and rear badge looking wrong on the car.

Having spoken to the salesman I have been left with the feeling that I hope the car fails to sell as a Chrysler and that Fiat realise the mistake that they have made by taking Chrysler on.

Strangely as I was walking through a carpark with my Dad on Sunday he said "Oh! a Chrysler, you don't often see many of those" - meaning a 300c that we were passing. I passed no comment.

Just taking the time to look at our local dealer you can get a delta for £249/month (leasing I guess)  ... I wouldn't know how that compares with anything else though! :) 5 years free servicing though ...

http://www.sytner.co.uk/kings-chrysler/bristol/new-cars/new-car-offers/q3%20delta%20offer.aspx

Forgot to say that I was told that the official launch is in about two weeks time.

That's pretty competitive for an £18k car, at launch.  I'd imagine the fleet deals will be quite good.

I find it pretty incredible that Fiat UK aren't getting their act together, both with the general "launch" of the smaller cars and the control of and communication to the dealers.

It sounds like someone wasn't paying attention during the launch briefing at Stuart's local dealership and if that's indicative of the attitude of the dealers towards the new cars what hope have they got. Looking at the various websites of my nearest Chrysler-Jeep franchises, that's Shrewsbury (x2 bizarrely), Wolverhampton and Stoke on Trent, none are up to date. All still carry the defunct Dodge branding, carry images of the old 300C which is no longer produced and make absolutely no mention of the soon to be available Delta or Ypsilon. If even ailing Saab http://www.saab.co.uk/gb/en/start#/home/ (with a similarly limited range) can sort out a half decent web presence why can't Fiat. Try a search for your local dealer on the main Saab site and see how consistent it all is.

If this is evidence of Fiat's effort and attention to detail, with only 2 weeks to go to the official launch, I really don't see anything other than an almighty disaster looming. I fear a missed opportunity.

Rant over!

You are right Lee.  I struggle to understand a car dealer who cannot muster enough enthusiasm to grasp basic product knowledge.  Are there not enough people out here who are enthusiastic enough about cars, who can communicate that enthusiasm to customers, to fill the car sales positions of Britain?  Or am I just naive?  Had they launched as Lancia, we'd have done their marketing for them, frankly - we'd have had classic Lancias in every dealership for launch, and any support with events they could have mustered.  As you say, a missed opportunity.  I hope they get it together, but then Chrysler has hardly been the franchise to attract real enthusiasts, has it?

Is there a Chrysler Motor Club or something like in the UK ? I wonder what they think ....

Stuart, I have to agree with you on the badge, It's to big and looks out of place, espically on the rear hatch. I suppose as you are a delta owner you feel like vomiting at the sight of the Chrysler badge ! I have to say though I am really impressed with the car, the build quality is great, It's still made on the same production line so the car is still the same. I think I would have one in a heart beat, although without the Chrysler badge. The two cars I went to see in Dublin last week were well speced up, with sat nav and leather ect, But the chrysler badge fixed to one of the cars off center and slightly lob sided ruined it. The grill doesen't look out of place though. ;) Thanks david.

You could always debadge one then no one would know what it is 8)

Brian

Attention to detail is all - and one look at the Chrysler site says it all...........

Thought I might search for the nearest dealer to Guildford - not much hope, it comes up with Horsham, Isleworth or Beaconsfield using my postcode.  Go back in to see other potential other dealers just in case they might be near my travels - using the pull down list available.

There are duplications, one apparently in a town called 'blah', one in 'teest' and 2 in 'test' - on a live website for heavens sake.

I weep...........

Yes, we all seem to be members from the look of this forum!

Sorry guys, the title of this thread should be 'Chryslers at a Chrysler dealership near you soon' cos that's what they are and that's what will be on the V5.

Got to go now to pick up Libby's new Lancia Civic in my Lancia Golf.

Martin.

ps on the question of lack of attention to detail, has anyone else noticed the spelling of Chyrsler in this title?

Surely it must be possible to order a RHD Lancia Delta via Fiat UK?

Typo a go go on the thread title!

I see there's a used Chrysler Delta for sale on Autotrader. Kings Manchester have their demo car up for sale already! When was the UK launch then?

Interestingly Alan, this car when viewed on Kings website is described as a "Lancia" Delta although the pictures dictate otherwise and yes the grille and badging look awful. However prices start new at £16695 and include 5 years servicing which is great value.

Incidently whilst in France recently, I checked up on Delta & Ypsilon prices there and are as follows:-

Ypsilon 1.2 (69) Silver E12,500 - 1.3Multijet (95) Platinum E20,100. These equate at current exchange rate (1.14) as £10,965 to £17,632.
Delta 1.4T-jet Impulsive E21,000- 1.9 Multijet (190) Executive E39,700. (£18,421 to £34,825).

The top Delta (which now replaces the previous Platino and now adds the kitchen sink) is more expensive than any Giulietta, A3 Sportback (not S3/RS3), New 1-series and over E8,000 more than a Golf 170GTD which is a tall ask despite being a great car. Second hand prices are doing well though.

I notice on Chryslers website that this engine is not advertised, it will be interesting what the top trim lists at.

Duncan, lets pay a visit to the dealer in Isleworth next month and perhaps book a test drive... maybe go in a real Delta?

Neil

The dealer in Wolverhampton has finally got two white and black Deltas on display, one outside, prominently parked on a grass verge adjacent to the very busy Penn Island. First time I've seen one in white "on the road" and it looks very nice. Interestingly, amongst all the Mercs and smarts in the car park today there were 2 Alfas, a new Giulietta and a 159 Sportwagon, both Fiat fleet cars according to their reg plates, so Fiat HQ staff? - looks like they may be getting on with some pre-launch training.

Just seen an advert for the Chrysler Delta on ITV.  It states prices from £16,650.

Don't know if this has posted before, but if not the Delta has finally appeared on Chrysler's UK site...

http://www.chrysler.co.uk/delta/

Saw an ad on the telly earlier for the new Chrysler Delta Hmm ??? :-[

Just annoyingly past a Chrysler, Jeep, Lancia (and Mitsubushi!!) dealership in Nice with a new Lancia Ypsilon in front of house!

Tim

Re: TV Ad. You beat me to it Stuart and interestingly the Exclusive (Executive in Italy) top of the range model with the leather dash was under £28k, which is a lot cheaper than in Europe!

This £249 per month and 5 years free servicing deal is for the entry level model and runs until 30 Sept. Bet there's more deals to follow.

Wonder if you can order through the UK Chrysler dealer network but request Lancia badging and Lancia on the V5?

I know I'm stating the obvious here, but it's such a shame that they've badged the car a Chrysler in the UK. I got half excited tonight when that ad came on but the American accent and Chrysler badging soon brought me back down to earth!

Missed that Lancia bit Paul. Interestingly, when I was at the Delta launch and spoke to Olivier Francois for 5 or so minutes he asked me what my opinion was on a UK launch with 5 years free servicing and warranty option. Of course I said it would be foolhardy not to offer this as it would show that Lancia were putting their money where their mouth is, so to speak and it would only be keeping up with the Koreans.  ;)

And there was me thinking I was doing my bit for Lancia drivers in the UK!  :(

Totally agree, just looked through the pdf brochure and the car looks fantastic apart from the grille. Can't see people buying it though in front of the German opposition with a Chrysler badge on it. It will be interesting to see how it fares sales wise and how the residuals hold up.

It seems to me that overall the Lancia re-launch in RHD markets would have made more sense, but again could they have demanded these sort of prices in the UK etc. even with the right badge on the nose? At the end of the day Lancia have become a convenient crutch lending small car quality to fill the gap in the Chrysler lineup left by the withdrawal of the dire Dodge range.

I think that, it's more likely, that they are afraid
the Lancia badge will just dredge up the old,
"they rust don't they" which, obviously, did not
tarnish the reputation of Chrysler in the same
way.

It's all about depreciation and discounts. Give it six months and watch the prices fall. But beware, in two years these cars will be lined up at £9,000 a piece. Audi, BMW and Mercedes rule for quality. Italian/American cars will always be 'pile em high and sell em cheap'. Logic says hang around.

Probably right Geoff but Chrysler aren't exactly a shining example of how to match cars to the UK market up to now, they also have a pretty poor reputation here. ::)

Brian
8227 8)

Has everyone seen this already? http://www.lanciachryslerexperience.com

Shame I can't hear a word Francois is saying although I probably wouldn't like it anyway!

I've just listened to and watched the whole of the video, He's a very impressive speaker and speaks without notes, he sounds very sincere, unfortunately having listened to him in Turin in 2006 regarding Lancia Coming back to the UK, one could say we've heard it all before, so it's a case of once bitten twice shy, no matter how sincere he sounds.
Thema, yes I like it very much, Voyager, an upmarket people carrier, Flavia, not convinced, Ypsilon, down right plug ugly!

Brian
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Your'e right Brian, he talks a good tale but the products aren't convincing enough, they just do not look the part especially the Yank versions. Inside the quality and finish seems to be there but outside just leaves me cold, the Thema is bearable, the Voyager too bland and please put the Flavia back on the shelf. The 3-dr Ypsilon is ok, the 5-dr less so, infact the only convincing one is the 3-year old Delta that I would order tomorrow providing we could have the Lancia version. There is not enough quirkiness or individuality to appeal as Lancia's but I suppose Fiat are trying to appeal to newer markets and they have their big picture, I just hope it works.

Incidentally have Fiat any desire to sell all these models to RHD markets outside Europe such as China, Japan, Far East, Australia, South Africa etc etc and if so what marque will they be marketed, it would be nice to think there will be RHD Lancia's somewhere and if so a chance for people/sources in the UK being able to obtain them. Anyone any knowledge of this?

There is absolutely no hint of anything for Australia.  Moreover I haven't a clue what marque would work for them over there.  Alfa is established, and an upmarket competitor to the prestige German marques, Fiat has a niche following but is really only just re-establishing itself with the 500, Dodge is tiny and Chrysler is just the 300C and Grand Voyager.  The 300C is running out the old model with hoofing great 5.7 and 6.1 engines for the equivalent of £25-30k, whilst the new Voyager is being pushed out as a premium motor at the equivalent of £30-40k.  You could envisage them taking the same strategy as in the UK, and pitching the Lancias as Chryslers, on the basis that there is an established marque presence and dealer network.  Can't see them using the Lancia brand, as the last Lancias in Aus were Beta Coupes, if the secondhand remnants are any guide.  So except for afficionados, the Lancia marque is dead as a dodo in Aus.

Very clever how Chrysler have number one search position when the word Lancia is entered into google. Try Lancia Motor Club and the new Chrysler Delta ranks top of list.

Google is very clever and makes a fortune from being clever. If you notice that it's a 'sponsored' link ... Chrysler (or FIAT) are paying for the Delta link to appear when you type in Lancia. Ads are priced by Google according to the word : the most expensive words are for drugs that people buy.

Its pay per click plus posiioning auction and yes Google employs the best in the business. Its another world.

Brian, You think yhe ypsilon is butt ugly ! I dont agree, I think it's very modern and elegant for such a small car, look around at the crop of modern small cars, the Ford ka for instance and you can see where the styling is going, modern, curvy, swoopy, what the modern car driver wants. I know you like me are living somwhere in the sixtys to the eighty's as regarding car styling, I think they have a winner. :D

In the wrong colour scheme and from the wrong angle, the nose does have a bit of the constipated parrot about it, but in the right colour, and from most angles, its a good looking, modern small car.  With the right pricing and spec it should do well.

Just visited my local Chrysler-Jeep dealership in Preston to discuss new Delta. It will be officially on the market from 26/09/11. The Ypsilon will be here in October although official on sale date TBC. This is what the salesman told me. He told me to date all Deltas in the country are white and each dealership has a showroom car and some also have a demo. He says interest has been good and he has three pre-orders so far.
Apparently Chrysler are very happy with the new product range especially with quality and people with prestige brands have been regular customers of late.
He also said he "should" be  able to order a Lancia badged car, however doubted it could be registered as one. He was well aware that it had been around for three years as a Lancia and seemed to have a better than average understanding of the car than normal, but at the end of the day he is still a car salesperson so believe what you like!

Going back to the car, there are a lot of items requiring change to turn from Chrysler to Lancia, notably external grille/ boot/ wheel centre caps and all the glazing is stamped Chrysler, internally steering wheel/ head restraints/ sill kick plates/ dashboard & centre console graphics. Also under the bonnet rocker cover is also recessed with Chrysler Logo. ID plate states Fiat Auto SPA. I could not see the oil filter which usually has a Alfa/Fiat/Lancia Logo on, so all in all no evidence that it is a Lancia to the average man in the street. Shame!

Surely, if he thinks he can order a Lancia badged car then it would have to say Lancia on the V5? If you order an Opel you get a RHD car with Opel on the V5. I wonder if you can order a Delta Hard Black in RHD? This is an edition model that doesn't appear to be in the Chrysler range.

Opel cars have been on sale in Ireland for as long as I can remember , My father drove an Opel  caravan estate in the sixty's I think the same car was available in the Uk as a Vauxhall with a few minor detail changes. Can you order an Opel in the UK ? . There are a few secondhand imported Vauxhall's in Ireland, But if you were to tell an Opel Driver he was driving a Vauxhall he would not be impressed, as he thinks he is driving a German engineered and built car. Would this apply to Chrysler drivers ? What if they thought they were driving a posh Fiat ?  ;D

Dave,
They would still be driving an Opel design, even if it's badged Vauxhall, Vauxhall haven't designed a car for about 30-40 years, when GM made the decision to give the design lead for vauxhall & Opel passenger cars to Opel, while Vauxhall/Bedford Vans (CF) were built at Luton and sold in Opel Markets as Opel Blitz, if I remember correctly the last all Vauxhall design was back in the 1970's, Vauxhall doesn't have a design department these days, and not a lot else either apart from Ellesmere Port, which has only ever been a manufacturing plant, while Vauxhall at Luton now amounts to less than 1000 personnel manufacturing vans.
When I started at VM back in 1963 I was one of 20,000 mostly at Luton, with trucks at Dunstable, while Ellesmere Port had only just started Assembley of HA Viva, with all the bodies being built at Luton and shipped to them by train.
Brian
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Appears that conversion to a Lancia is a production line rather than a DIY job. Sounds like it would be down to the willingness of your Chrysler dealer to order it then the production department at Lancia being prepared to build it. As mentioned before it may be easier for a Lancia dealer in Europe to order a RHD spec car?

Only problem with a European dealer ordering a RHD car is the price which is currently equivalent of £3,000- £6,000 more expensive (list) than the Chrysler version before any import duty/taxes etc. This means top spec cars would be well into 5-series/XF/E-Class etc  territory which unless you are a true die hard or want to keep it forever would be a financial disaster.

What do you think about this Italian Ypsilon TV ad? I've noticed that the Italian market Delta ad is the same "space" themed one that we've seen over here for Chrysler. Perhaps they'll do the same with Ypsilon. Personally, I like this one, although it does shout Milan rather than Michigan.

http://www.youtube.com/user/postfabio#p/u/2/PbunPQ6sXeM

I'd want to order the one of the engine options that aren't available via Chrysler in the UK. I'd also want to get the UK finance deal and warranty.

All in all "they" have really cocked a snook at us here in the UK and in all honestly I'm getting increadibly loveed off with this. The "Chrysler" they are advertising is called a Delta and the first letter of Delta is a Lancia shield!

I need a new car, the Delta suits my needs due to the movable rear seats and styling of the car in general as in it doesn't look like everything else on the road yet "they" are making it as difficult as possible for me to get the car I want without a bloody Chrysler badge on it.

I'm seriously considering something else now. They really have missed a trick here. How stupid are they?

Chrysler are also passing the Delta off as a new car. Is this reasonable or even legal?

It is as far as the UK and Chrysler is concerned, plus the fact it's in RHD which definitely is new.
Brian
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Very nice ad but definitely non pc, how dare the use sexy women to sell cars :o, Germain Greer will be burning her bra again.
Brian
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Just driven past a load of black deltas and ypsilons east bound on the M4 , so very glad to have joined the club :) I guess they probably come in via Portbury Docks ....

There is a gleaming white Delta in pride of place at the dealership near me. Must get round to stopping to have a look!

All the Dealers seem to have white only! but the colour does suit the Delta.

Brian
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Maybe the video they'll be using at Frankfurt? The full range, including Flavia Cabrio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkOrjcRHJ_M&feature=feedu

Found this link on the Italian forum under the title: There are those who rebel

Translated text: While the Fiat empire exports its brand throughout the galaxy, there, in a remote island in the ocean, a group of rebels resist

http://www.superveloce.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93&Itemid=102

Very nice ad.

Brian
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Talking of ads, Chrysler ain't half trying to push the new Delta, it's on the tele in the press & on billboards everywhere now. Good luck to em!

Yep, I noticed loads of billboards with Deltas on them today.  A question - has anyone that's registered interest on the website been invited to anything resembling a launch event at a dealership?

No, I registered interest sometime ago and have received diddly squat, not a brochure or anything, although I have since visited the dealers and rectified that though.

I received a bog standard email about the new Delta, but that's it. No invite to a launch.

Now joined by an Ypsilon in the same colour. The car does look a bit dumpy in real life, but the relatively larger grille makes it look even more Lancia. Thumping price tag of £16K on it though. That's £3K more than I paid for my high spec Polo last year. However, does somehow cheer me up every time I drive past!

going to have a look today.

Brian
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Saw a Black '61 plate Delta driving around the business park this lunchtime ...

... and it being sunny and a Bristol Meeting night my integrale is also out and about today

Went and had a look yesterday and was very impressed with the Ypsilon, I still don't like the two tone bonnet but you can have two tone without the bonnet which should look much better, the nearly £16K figure is right at the top the range, one I looked at had the twin air turbo engine that once they have PDI'd it I'm welcome to go and try ;D  the official launch is 1st October and at present they don't even have brochures but they start at around £12K, I'll post prices and photos later, Laurance the same salesman from when I had a look at the Delta, says his area Manager is very receptive to checking if they can get the badges and says it shouldn't be a problem to do if anyone wants them to do it.
Ypsilon would be a lot easier as besides the glass and the grille there are only 2 other Chrysler logos, the tailgate glass and the steering wheel. not counting the alloy wheel centres.
All the Sales people I spoke to were enthusiastic at having a small car to sell.
Brian
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Actually saw my first non dealership demo UK Chrysler Delta on the road yesterday being driven by a woman. Presume that she'd bought it as there were no stickers on the sides etc. It was a white car with white roof. Felt a bit sad really seeing a Delta but badged as a Chrysler  :(

Yes, saw my first 'owned' Delta this week too (White/black roof). As above I think it's nice to see them myself. Would be better to see them badged as Lancias I agree, but it still puts a smil on my face for some reason

Photos from the other day, still need to copy the price list and specs.
Note strange object sticking out from the RH windscreen pillar, this is the new built in TomTom mounting, no cradles, suckers or trailing power leads needed.
on the white car just forward of the front wheel is a radar sensor, this part of the self parking set up.

Brian
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More
Can't say I've seen the fuel filler flap arrangement before, there isn't a filler cap as such, closing the flap seals the filler neck.

Still more,
typical is that the machined surfaced of the engine mounting bracket is going rusty already, our Grande Punto was the same, why the heck doesn't Fiat rust treat them ???

Brian

Thanks for the pics Brian. As I said I think the car looks particularly 'Lancia', especially the White one viewed from the front. Don't think the silver/black works though. Looks like a
disguised test car.

According to Chrysler's CEO, 354 new Deltas sold in Uk in September. Not too bad since it was only officially launched on 19th. Perhaps some are dealer demos.

Hi Neil,
Must admit I like the white,the two tone isn't black but a metallic bronze so lousy lighting and using my Blackberrys camera did the rest ::)

Brian
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great pics Brian. Not a fan of the two tone at all, it looked good on the last Ypsilon, but not the current one.

354 Delta sold in Sept (obviously incl dealer demo) is a good start. Not sure how many Chrysler dealers are in the UK, but even if every dealer done a demo registration on one then it'd still be fairly decent. Hopefully Chrysler can keep this up, must be bringing some badly needed traffic into Chrysler showrooms!

Chrysler Ireland whilst being quick off the mark to put Delta & Ypsilon on its website have done nothing since then, no updates, nothing! I had heard there were press cars in Ireland, but seems strange not to have any further updates on the site. But atleast the UK seems to have gotten its act together.