(April 3, 2012) Beginning May 1 Chrysler Australia group will act as the distributor for Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands in Australia.

Under the new agreement, the current Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealer group, which numbers 17 passenger dealerships with 22 commercial vehicle outlets across the country, will report into the Melbourne-based Chrysler Australia group.

Sales for the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands during 2011 were recorded by Vendor Field Analytical and Characterization Technologies System (VFACTS) at 2,635 vehicles.

Models offered on the Australian market include the Alfa Giulietta, Alfa 159 saloon and Alfa 159 Sportwagon. Fiat models include the Fiat 500, the Fiat 500 Abarth, and Fiat Professional brands Ducato and Scudo.

The Chrysler Australia group of companies, which currently manages the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands in the Australian market, has seen a remarkable surge in sales in the past twelve months. Calendar year 2011 saw the American marque increase combined sales by 27.5%, and January and February sales are up 78% on the same period last year.

The transfer of distributorship of the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Fiat Professional brands to the Chrysler Australia group has occurred on the back of the global strategic alliance formed between the Fiat S.p.A. in Italy and the Chrysler Group in the United States in 2009.