Chrysler Group, the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based automaker, on Tuesday (16 December) announced that it had changed its company name to FCA US.
The name change was effective immediately and followed the naming convention of global parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which officially adopted its new name in October when it listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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The name change to FCA US does not affect the company’s headquarters location in Auburn Hills, Michigan, its holdings, management team, board or brands, the automaker said in a statement.
“FCA US, together with parent FCA, continues to work toward the business plan presented on investor day in May 2014. Additionally, the company remains proud of its joint heritage. FCA US continues to build upon the solid foundations first established by Walter P Chrysler in 1925 as well as a rich Fiat heritage that dates from 1899,” the statement added.
Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book, said: “Changing the name of Chrysler’s parent automotive group will mean little to the average consumer. Car shoppers are often unaware of these corporate naming structures, instead paying far more attention to a vehicle’s badge, the name on a dealership or the name referenced in marketing messages. All of those names will continue to be ‘Chrysler’ and will be attached to much better product, including the all-new 200 and updated 300 sedans for 2015. In the eyes of the car-buying consumer, these improvements in product quality will do far more to strengthen the Chrysler brand than any corporate name changes might do to weaken it.”
FCA US employs about 77,000 worldwide with 96% of its workforce based in North America. FCA US operates 36 manufacturing facilities, including 23 in the United States, six in Canada and seven in Mexico.
