Looks like we can stop salivating now. The inner workings of the Chrysler and Fiat alliance means that little Italian cars will start to make their way to America, the first of which will be the diminutive Fiat 500, slated to arrive in American showrooms in as little as eighteen months.

Fiat's vice president of communications, Richard Gadeselli, says that the 500 is the only vehicle which will come to America without any significant changes. Future U.S.-spec Fiats will be very different from their Italian counterparts, but we're happy to know that the 500 won't change too much.

Us? We're looking forward to flogging a Fiat 500 against a Smart ForTwo and Mini Cooper sometime in the not-so-distant future.

+ Autoblog: Fiat confirms 500 at Chrysler dealers in about 18 months

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An alliance between Chrysler and Fiat could mean that the U.S. would receive the Fiat 500, Grande Punto, and Panda, as well as the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Milano, Edmunds reports. Chrysler's bankruptcy documents also indicate American access to Fiat’s 3.0-liter diesel and 1.4-liter engines.

With these vehicles, Chrysler hopes to offer a lineup of vehicles in a segment currently underserved by the automaker. The alliance could also mean more production in underutilized plants in the U.S.

View the Alfa Romeo MiTo in the gallery above, or follow the link below to the source article.

+ Edmunds Inside Line: Which Fiat Products Are Bound for U.S.? Details Emerge

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne expects to see Chrysler enter into Chapter 11 bankruptcy very soon--or so says CAW chief Ken Lewenza.  The union boss told Leftlane News that he conversed with Marchione and the Italian exec stated, "...if I was a betting man, I would suggest Chrysler is going to fall into Chapter 11."

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We’ve seen spy shot after spy shot and heard rumor after rumor of the Fiat 500C convertible over the past months. Well, here it is.

Blam!

Gallery above, press release below.

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We tipped NextAutos readers to the all-new Fiat Doblo last fall, saying even then that there was a chance that the van could make it to North America at some point.

Now Fiat’s new deal with Chrysler may make the Doblo on American soil an even more likely prospect. The van would also create a spanking competitor for the recently announced Ford Transit Connect. We can’t wait for the comparison test.

Click on the photos above to take a closer look at the new Doblo mule, or scroll down below to read the spy shooter’s own words.

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We haven’t been terribly religious about keeping track of the latest Fiat spy shots in the past, but with the Italian company’s new deal with Chrysler in place every piece of information has a potential impact on the North American auto landscape.

This face-lifted Grande Punto is a good example of another interesting small car we’d like to see, especially since this new model has seemingly been graced with an Alfa Romeo interior. The shooter opines that the dash seen in this GP is remarkably similar to the unit found in Alfa’s 149, which is to say, considerably more premium than would have been expected. Have a closer look above.

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A fully undisguised version of Fiat’s upcoming 500 convertible has been spotted in Sweden just days before its official release on February 16. We’ve had some pretty good looks at the cheeky droptop already, but figured that one more pre-launch dose of enthusiasm couldn’t hurt. Who knows, something like this may be showing up on your friendly neighborhood Chrysler dealer’s lot in the not-so-distant future. Have a closer look above—read the shooter’s words below.

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The highly anticipated Fiat 500 Convertible will finally be taking off its top at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show this March. The funky 500 Convertible is scheduled to make its way onto showroom floors across Europe by summer of 2009, and will most likely share the same range of engine options as its hatchback sister— a 1.2-liter and 1.4-liter gasoline powered engine, as well as a 1.3-liter turbodiesel.

Unlike most convertibles, such as the MINI Cooper Cabrio, the droptop 500 does not have a fully retractable roof. Instead, it features a folding-back canvas top that covers the roof and the rear glasshouse section, retaining the car's standard pillars (as can be seen in our spy shot gallery of the 500 mule above). While the pillars may inhibit a full convertible experience, it should help keep both the price and weight additions down, potentially making it one of the most inexpensive and unique cabriolets out on the market.

+ Carscoop: Insider: Fiat 500 Convertible to Premiere at Geneva Show

In breaking news this morning, Chrysler parent company, the investment concern called Cerberus Capitol Management, has signed a non-binding term sheet with Fiat to establish what is being termed a, “global strategic alliance.”

The terms of the deal would seem to be fairly exciting for Chrysler, as well as for those Americans who’ve lusted over some of the Fiat portfolio in the past. Chrysler is set to receive a much needed technology share, gaining access to Fiats platforms for compact and city cars, as well as to very fuel-efficient powertrains. Fiat will also offer Chrysler access distribution in emerging markets that the company hasn’t yet enjoyed.

For its part, Fiat should get an initial 35 percent equity stake in Chrysler, as well as access to Chrysler’s own distribution network within North America. While it isn’t explicitly laid out in the press release, we can’t help but hope that such a deal would pave the way for the oft-discussed return of Fiat sub brand Alfa Romeo to our shores, and in turn, products like its sexy MiTo small hatch. To say nothing of Fiat's own 500 city car.

You’ll find the full Chrysler/Fiat announcement below. Read through it and then give us your take on the pending partnership, in our new forum thread .
 

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