Fiat-Chrysler gets previous Ferrari chief engineer Roberto Fedeli back from BMW to head Alfa Romeo and Maserati R&D department.
The hiring of Fedeli is considered to help FCA in dealing with their increasing technical challenges, which cause scheduled launches of new models like the Giulia mid-size sedan to be left months behind schedule.
Supplier sources told AutoNews that the new Alfa Romeo Giulia failed to pass front, side and rear crash tests which resulted in an extensive re-engineering which will add about six months to the model’s market launch.
Maserati is also left behind schedule with the Levante. The brand’s first SUV model was supposed to debut in full-production form in mid-2015 however, now the goal for Maserati is to get it ready for sale by this summer. The final, production Levante is expected to be revealed in the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Roberto Fedeli is returning to FCA after spending 16 months in BMW following 26 years at Ferrari. He was Ferrari’s head of R&D from 2007 and considered one of the key persons behind the LaFerrari hybrid hypercar and every Ferrari road car since then.