Fiat's Growth Plan Is Achievable, Marchionne Says
The ambitious volume growth targets in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV's five-year plan presented earlier this month are achievable, Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Tuesday.
"I wouldn't have put them down if they weren't achievable," Mr. Marchionne said at an event to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the death of former Fiat Chairman Umberto Agnelli.
Earlier in May, the company's top executives rolled out a five-year plan that projects big gains for a revamped Alfa Romeo sports-car brand, its Jeep sports-utility line and a repositioned Chrysler focused on mass-market sales. Fiat Chrysler aims to increase yearly vehicle sales by 60% to 7 million by 2018.
The relaunch of Alfa Romeo is the most challenging part of the plan, Mr. Marchionne said.
The CEO said that the financial targets he laid out for 2014 also are achievable.
He added he isn't worried about the market's negative reaction to the plan and he is convinced the stock will soon recoup losses sustained since the plan's presentation on May 6. Fiat shares have lost 8.4% since the plan's presentation.
More Industry

Kia Closes Out Summer With a Bang
Its U.S. subsidiary broke multiple records in August, in part due to a surge of demand for hybrids models.
Read More →
Indiana Dealership Changes Hands
A 30-year-old Ford dealership in Indiana has a new owner and will soon be undergoing renovations to meet manufacturer requirements.
Read More →
Texas Dealership No Longer in the Family
The Ford store, a longtime cornerstone of the Houston market, is now part of one of the fastest-growing U.S. auto groups.
Read More →
Genesis Grows California Presence
The Cardinale Automotive Group opened its third Genesis rooftop in the Golden State, Genesis of San Bruno, a stand-alone dealership serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →
EV Market Humming Along
July sales show steady growth as the segment stabilizes from last year’s artificial surge following pullback of federal support.
Read More →
Auto Loan Delinquency Rates Stabilize
Auto loans are a main driver of nonmortgage consumer debt, but delinquency rates stabilized in the second quarter across all credit risk tiers.
Read More →
EV Sales Recover in Q2
The EV sales roller coaster continues as numbers show improvement, but industry experts predict a year-over-year third-quarter decline and fourth-quarter jump.
Read More →
The Cheapest Hybrids to Fuel
The powertrain is increasing in popularity, in no small part due to its fuel economy. A new report lists the most efficient hybrids on the market.
Read More →
Hybrids and SUVs Gaining Ground
The most recent Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch found that only two nonluxury brands increased in shopper consideration, buoyed by their hybrid and SUV offerings.
Read More →