<p>Filed under: <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/category/chrysler/" rel="tag">Chrysler</a>, <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/category/fiat/" rel="tag">Fiat</a></p><a href="/2012/10/21/small-jeep-and-fiat-suvs-to-be-built-in-italy/#continued"><img alt="Fiat badge" src=&quot;http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/152011fiat500.jpg" style="margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; width: 630px; height: 420px; " /></a><br /><br />In a bid to fill some of its empty Italian production capacity, <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/fiat/">Fiat</a> plans to build a pair of small SUVs at its plant in Melfi starting in 2014, <a href=&quot;http://europe.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20121019/ANE/121019843/fiat-will-build-two-small-suvs-at-italian-plant-report-says">according to <em>Automotive News Europe</em></a>. With most <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/chrysler/">Chrysler</a> plants running at or near full capacity, the Melfi facility will probably build the new Fiat and <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/jeep/">Jeep</a> SUVs for export to North America. The final decision could come as soon as this weekend. The new small Jeep is expected to replace the Patriot and/or Compass, which are both produced in Chrysler's Belvidere, Illinois plant.<br /><br /><em>Automotive News </em>says Fiat sales are at their lowest since the 1970s, and the European auto market as a whole is expected to see its biggest decline since 1993. Exporting a potentially popular model like a new small SUV could help Fiat's bottom line, and the report indicates (from an unnamed source) that Fiat hopes the Italian government will reduce its corporate taxes on exported vehicles, which would make such a move even more beneficial. In addition to these new Fiat and Jeep SUVs, the upcoming <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/tag/chrysler%20100/">Chrysler 100</a> hatchback could also be built in Italy at Fiat's Cassino plant.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/21/small-jeep-and-fiat-suvs-to-be-built-in-italy/">Small'>;http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/21/small-jeep-and-fiat-suvs-to-be-built-in-italy/">Small Jeep and Fiat SUVs to be built in Italy</a> originally appeared on <a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 21 Oct 2012 15:02:00 EST. Please see our <a href=&quot;http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/21/small-jeep-and-fiat-suvs-to-be-built-in-italy/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/forward/20354942/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=&quot;http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/21/small-jeep-and-fiat-suvs-to-be-built-in-italy/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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An imported Jeep? That won't fly well with some people here.

Honestly, I doubt people will care. Companies have become more global, they have investments all over the globe. Not to mention, this wouldn't be the first Jeep built outside of the US.

Fiat SUV? I like Fiat but still think people are crazy to buy them in the US who don't live in huge cities.

Their sales are good enough right now to take that chance.

Surprises me they're doing so well in the US. I see a few around every now and again. Only way I would buy one is if I lived in LA or New York City but doubt that will happen. Them and the DeadForTwo, opps I mean SmartForTwo, are too small and don't see like a good idea on highways, town roads and other roads that exceed 15mph.

Surprises me they're doing so well in the US. I see a few around every now and again. Only way I would buy one is if I lived in LA or New York City but doubt that will happen. Them and the DeadForTwo, opps I mean SmartForTwo, are too small and don't see like a good idea on highways, town roads and other roads that exceed 15mph.

I wouldn't feel safe in them either. They flaunt there high-impact resistant frames, but what is to stop the damned things from being kicked like football?

I've been in them, and driven them. I don't get the appeal, but they are comfy.

Same with the 500, but I'd rather have a 500 over a Smart. ESPECIALLY an Abarth. <3.