America is ready for Fiat to become Italian-American, or so it seems if you follow Exotic Car Show and Italian Car Club news reports. Case in point: Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited is the largest Fiat Branded Club in North America, and they are fierce supporters of the Chrysler-Fiat Union.
Read on to learn more about their organization in this press release about East Coast activity and the organization's national convention from Cars PR USA's Cynthia Meitle. Cindy is an active member of the Italianizzato Club Facebook group for exotic car enthusiasts and host of the upcoming "La Dolce Vita" auto show happening August 14th, 2009 in Monterey, California to benefit the Shriner's Hospital.
With Fiat freaks on board to support the all-Italian Concours D'Elegance style car show at Black Horse Golf and Country Club on the West Coast this year and hosting their own "Fiat Freak Out" event welcoming all Italian cars to the Mid-Atlantic region, we're happy to share the news of their avid interest in all things Fiat Group has produces and applaud their community involvement promoting Italian automobiles both across the United States and in the larger McWorld.
Italian car "European Import" dealers across the country thank the club and organizations like CarPRUSA.com for their patronage and continued support, while Chrysler associates look forward to providing your associations with many more choices and options when it comes to the sales and service of Fiat Group's luxury, performance, exotic, and forthcoming eco-minded auto products of interest such as the Fiat 500, the MiTO, and more C automobiles like the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIAST CLUB READY TO WELCOME THE RETURN OF FIAT AND ALFA ROMEO AUTOMOBILES TO NORTH AMERICA
(PHILADELPHIA, PA April 30, 2009)
In light of the pending alliance between America’s Chrysler Corporation and Italy’s FIAT automaker, Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited (FLU,
www.flu.org), North America’s largest enthusiast club for owners of Fiat-branded automobiles, is eagerly awaiting the return of new Fiat automobiles to the United States and Canada following a more than 25-year absence.
The club has announced that it stands ready to assist Chrysler in promoting the sales and ownership of North American versions of Fiat and Alfa Romeo vehicles, regardless of where the cars will be built or the name brand badges affixed to the cars.
CATCH UP WITH THE FLU
Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited (FLU), which is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Fiats and other Italian cars, was founded in 1983, the same year that Fiat ceased selling cars in the USA. Since the club’s inception, it has grown to be one of the most active enthusiasts groups of its kind in the world, with local chapters holding yearly events that draw attendees from all over the USA, Canada, and several foreign countries.
In addition to conducting numerous gatherings and events throughout North America, Club Fiat-Lancia Unlimited maintains an official internet website, www.flu.org, and publishes a full-color bi-monthly newsletter, RICAMBI, which is packed with member-written articles, technical tips and classified ads.
FIAT FREAK-OUT 2009 COMING
“Fiat Freak Out,” the club’s annual international convention, draws nearly 450 participants each year, many of whom show over 200 well-preserved Fiat, Lancia, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo cars of vintages spanning several decades. The club welcomes owners of any Italian marque, and looks forward to offering assistance to Chrysler and Fiat in promoting the purchase and ownership of the Italian automaker’s highly-acclaimed sporty and fuel-efficient cars.
Fiat Freak Out 2009
National Convention
August 13th - 17th, 2009
Valley Forge, PA
"Experience the Revolutions"
Click HERE for details.
For more information on the 2009 or future annual event(s), contact:
Bobb Rayner, Co-founder: Club FLU and “Fiat FreakOut”
Phone: 856-384-4772
Fiat Lancia Unlimited
P.O. Box 563
Coldwater, MI 49036
FLU EPIDEMIC IN THE USA
Club FLU members already have a taste of what it’s like to drive a new Fiat on North American roads.
In the summer of 2008, a club member brought to the United States a new Fiat 500, which was voted the European Car of the Year in 2008. The car was driven from Times Square in New York City to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and ultimately back to the East Coast, making appearances at several U.S. auto shows along the way and drawing crowds and rave reviews wherever it traveled.
[NOTE: We especially enjoyed seeing it at the 2008 Viva Italia Concours D'Elegance exotic car show in Baltimore Maryland at Harbor East at a show benefitting the Children's Guild. The Fiat 500 visit to the exhibition was organized by another great gar gal and Italianizzato Club member Jeanette Scott.]
This very car same Fiat 500 car is now owned by the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, and will be displayed at Club FLU’s 2009 “Fiat Freak Out” international convention to be held in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in August of 2009.
CHRYSLER FIAT NEWS [RECAP] FROM AND FOR ITALIAN AMERICAN CAR CLUBS
The pending partnership between Chrysler and Fiat may result in several Fiat-designed cars being built in North America. Should this happen, it would not be the first time Fiat vehicles have been assembled in the USA. Fiat, based in Turin, Italy, was among the first foreign automakers to set up a factory to build cars in North America, operating an assembly plant in Poughkeepsie, New York, from 1909-1918.
The new Fiat 500 is rumored to be one of the Fiat vehicles that Chrysler may build in the USA and offer for sale to North America customers. The auto company has one of the best car configurator programs in the automobile marketing world.