Fiat Will Build Maserati and Alfa Romeo SUVs at Mirafiori

FiatFiatItaly, 1899 > present159 models
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says that it will build Maserati'sMaseratiItaly, 1914 > present62 models
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and Alfa Romeo'sAlfa RomeoItaly, 1910 > present108 models
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new SUVs at its Mirafiori factory near Turin. 

The Maserati SUV, which had previously been called the KubangMaserati KubangItaly, 2011 > present18 photos
, is known as the Levante and is slated to debut in 2014. It will share a platform with the JeepJeepUnited States of America, 1941 > present33 models
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Grand CherokeeJeep Grand Cherokee Gen.4United States of America, 2010 > present57 versions
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.

Alfa Romeo will follow suit in 2015 with a Jeep-based SUV.

The Mirafiori factory will also build Jeep SUVs.

The reason for building all of these trucks in Italy is to keep the factory running at capacity. It is currently running just a few days a week. Jeep is rapidly becoming one of the most profitable brands in Fiat's portfolio, and it plans to take advantage of the platforms from the brand. 

"I've made a commitment. We are not closing Mirafiori. We will make luxury cars for both Maserati and for Alfa Romeo," said Marchionne. 

The luxury SUVs will be exported to North America, Russia and Asia to feed the areas with the highest demand. Marchionne wants to use US Chrysler dealers to sell the cars. 

Source: Automotive News Europe