10 Interesting Dodge, Ram, and Fiat Vehicles Sold in Other Countries
International car marketing is a convoluted business, and sometimes popular names and styles in one culture go over like pickled herring in another. Here's some vehicles we never got in the USA from the FCA companies.
1. Dodge Attitude
The Dodge Attitude is geared towards Mexican markets. Things get rather complicated quickly however; rather than being a new name on an American Avenger or Neon, the Attitude is actually a Hyundai Accent rebadged with a Dodge. There are many reasons why such convoluted rebadgeing takes place. In this case, US automakers are arguably more respected in Mexico than Korean companies.
2. Fiat Viaggio
The Fiat Viaggio is the car known as the Dodge Dart in the United States. Rather than being meant as a European Dart equivalent however, the Viaggio is actually produced specifically for the Chinese auto market. Both the Viaggio and Dart are based on the previous generation Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
3. Dodge Polara
Confusion reigns when one name, like the Dodge Polara, may go to refer to multiple different kinds of vehicle depending on the region. While the Dodge Polara was a vehicle sold in the United States from the 1950s until 1973, a different kind of Dodge Polara, was sold in Argentina. In South America, they started building 1967 Dodge Darts and slapping Polara badges on them in 1968 and continued until 1980.
4. Fiat Freemont
Americans may be aware of a mid-size crossover SUV called the Dodge Journey. However, across Europe, Australia, and parts of South America, it's known instead as the Fiat Freemont. The FCA cross-branding is often ridiculously complex from an outsider perspective, and the Fiat Freemont is further proof of this. The Fiat Freemont is actually sold in China alongside the Dodge JCUV, the Chinese-specific edition of the Dodge Journey.
5. Ram Laramie 2500
Australia has embraced the Ram brand with the Ram Laramie 2500 in particular standing out. Australian advertising of this brand focuses on the truck as a rugged American icon. With the vast Australian outback to contend with, it makes sense that the Dodge Ram Truck brand would prove a success.
6. Dodge JC
The Dodge Journey is sold as the Fiat Freemont in a bunch of places, and the JCUV in China, but in Japan it is just the Dodge JC. While it is sold in some non-US countries as the Dodge Journey, the Journey nameplate is used in Japan by Isuzu Motors. In Japan, the JC is much more expensive than here too, due to the design exceeding the country's particularly tight regulations on car dimensions. For a crossover that is very much an also ran in its home country, the Journey sure gets around.
7. Fiat Fullback
This is a really recent addition to the Fiat lineup, and again, the names can get very confusing. Virtually identical to the Mitsubishi L200 truck, it's sold as the Mitsubishi Triton is Australia, as a Ram 1200 in the United Arab Emirates, and as a Mitsubishi Strada in the Phillipines. This might actually sell if they brought it to the US, to buyers looking for something smaller than the Ram. The most popular motor in most markets is a 175hp Mitsubishi turbo diesel.
8. Fiat Aegea
How's this for globalism: An American car, revamped by an Italian automaker and produced in Turkey? The Fiat Aegea is a European variant on the Dodge Dart. With an arguably improved aesthetic, it sold throughout Europe and the Middle East. The Dodge Dart itself was drawn from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, so it's interesting how this model design has swung back and forth across the ocean.
9. Fiat 242
This retired van model is an example of a model that was sold under multiple names within Europe. The Fiat 242 was produced by them in Italy until 1987, and was sold in France as the Citroën C35. Afterwards, Citroën actually took hold of the design and manufacture when Fiat decided to replace the 242.
10. Fiat Ducato
American readers may recognize the Ducato instead as the Ram ProMaster van. This commercial light truck has been rebadged under several names depending on the country and generation. Among these other names: the Citroën Jumper, Citroën Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Talbot Express. This is a fine example of a vehicle with major appeal across continents and cultures. There's a lot that can be accomplished with a Ducato, no matter what nameplate or brand it's being sold under, despite its front wheel drive platform.
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