Industry news: Chrysler/Fiat lineup leaked

October 28, 6:33 PMChicago Autos ExaminerTim Healey

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According to the Wall Street Journal, there are major changes underway at Chrysler. Fiat, which now holds a 20 percent stake in the company, plans on bringing its Alfa Romeo brand back to our shores, and that's not all. The Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep lineups will undergo major renovations, with a fair amount of models being dropped. The automotive media will get an official look next week, but here's the scoop so far.

Chrysler: The luxury brand will lose the retro PT Cruiser and the Sebring sedan and convertible, and it will possibly fall below Alfa Romeo on the luxury ladder. The Town & Country minivan will remain, and the 300 will be redesigned for 2011. The Fiat 500 will join the Chrysler family in 2011.

Dodge: The Dodge brand will lose about half of its models. The Nitro, Caliber, Avenger, and Grand Caravan will all get the axe. Challenger and Journey will soldier on, while the Ram truck may be spun into a separate brand. Like it's Chrysler 300 sibling, the Charger will be redesigned for 2011. No word yet on the Viper sports car.

Jeep: Say goodbye to Compass, Commander, and Patriot. Wrangler should carry on, and the Grand Cherokee is slated for a redesign in 2011.

Alfa Romeo: It's hard to say which Alfa's will come to our shores, but online speculation is that the Mito, Milano, and 8C Competizione will come to America, along with a new mid-size sedan.

For more info: Wall Street Journal, Jalopnik, Kicking Tires