Explore. Express. Unite.: Pt 3

Benvenuti amici!

We are back with our third part in the FiatTech e-interview series. Our growing relationship with the greater FIAT community helps keep things fresh and exciting. Organizations like FT make it very easy to remain fired-up about the little Italian engine that could. 

Our last FT entry ended with a bit of a Cliffhanger. It was revealed there are big plans for the group in the very near future… AND… there is a chance of a presence at FIAT FreakOut 2014 (in the Chicagoland area). Read on...

FIAT FreakOut 2014 happens July 10-13

CC5C: So, FiatTech will have a presence at FIAT FreakOut? That's great news!

CC5C will have a small showing there as well. I'm already looking forward to a face-to-face with the man behind the 'Tech. I'm also looking forward to the next stages of growth in the organization.

Let's change gears a bit. One of the things attracting me most to FIAT S.p.A. is the history/heritage and philosophy of the individuals/group running the company. You spend a lot of time and expend a lot of energy on FIAT daily. What inspires you most about the automaker?

FiatTech: I think the new inspiration comes from the fact that they are back here in North America. They had an opportunity to introduce their products awhile back and got mixed reviews.

Neither, in my lifetime, did I think Fiat would return to North America nor did I ever think I would ever own two of them. But stranger things have happened. I’ve always been a fan of Alfa Romeos and I still have model cars of a Fiat 127 and 131 that I brought back from Italy as a little boy.

Fiat might seem like a new brand to the newer generation, but there is definitely a long history to the famous automaker. Hopefully, through FiatTech, we can rewind a bit and show them that there are many chapters to the Fiat family. 

[Editor's Note: Read familiar? It should. One of the primary goals of the CC5C blog is to offer another opportunity for people to learn about current FIAT events as well as the automaker history. I believe these kinds of shared visions are the glue that bonds the various FIAT fan groups.]

CC5C: And do you find you capture that, a bit, with FiatTech?

FiatTech: I think we have. I feel like this web site is my homage to the brand that I loved as a kid. It’s my opportunity to dig into a family album of sorts and reminisce about my past and add some new memories for the future. Of course, I’d like to share those memories with others through the web site.

CC5C: Well, I know you're a busy guy. I won't keep you any longer. But I would like to give you an opportunity to have the final word… one last thing to impart to our readers. Take it away…

FiatTech: Having owned two fiats for almost 3 years, I am happy to say I have no regrets in my purchases. Fiat has tried to redeem their reputation here in North America, and I think they have succeeded in getting over that [road] bump. You will still have your naysayers. But those are the ones who have either never driven a new Fiat... or don’t share the passion for the brand as we do.

I, for one, am a believer and I’m sure all our FiatTech fans will agree.

FIAT 500: Over a million sold and counting!

CC5C: I know I am a FiatTech fan and most certainly agree with you. FIAT is off to a great start with the reintroduction into the North American market and the official launch of their global launch is on the near horizon. Sergio Marchionne already revealed the FIAT plan for growth of the automaker and the future of its holdings (Lancia, ABARTH, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Ferrari, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, RAM). I truly believe they are poised for a lot more than those 'naysayers' give due credit.

Oh, man… Don't get me started.

On behalf of the CC5C and our readership, I want to thank you for taking time out for us. We are always so very happy to share the growing brand passion in our corner of the world. It's even better when the love is coming from a group like FiatTech. We send our best wishes of success your way and you can always count on our support of the FiatTech mission.

We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. Until then…

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Explore. Express. Unite.: Pt 2

Benvenuti amici!

The folks at FiatTech, the CC5C independent FIAT S.p.A. news & forum of choice, are kind enough to take part in an e-interview with us. The e-conversation is not only meant to give our readers an inside track on the movement. We also want people to come away with an idea of the massive amount of work put into cultivating a community… in the truest sense of the word. We jump in at the spot we jumped off. Join us…

CC5C: Thank you for that explanation. I, personally, find this broader look at FIAT S.p.A. (FCA) is something sorely missing in North America. I think, North Americans tend to think of FIAT as this maker of funky little cars. They lose sight of the fact the company is the oldest mass-producer of automobiles and happens to be the parent company of many of the world's premier brands. I'm happy to know FiatTech doesn't miss that mark.

Moving on…

Now, I'm going to preface my next question by stating the obvious... I am a FiatTech junkie. But when I first became aware of FiatTech I thought, "Oh, this a group of performance/racing guys. I wonder how someone like me, someone happy with a stock Pop or Abarth, will fit in (if at all)." How do you respond to someone with a similar first impression, based on your name?

FiatTech: The name might throw some off, like yourself. But obviously that isn’t the intention. Once someone dives into the various components of Fiattech, they will discover there’s more to it. The front page is set up in a way where you can get the latest news from multiple feeds. You can also read the latest articles that we compose ourselves from the most reliable sources.

In regards to social media, we have live Facebook feeds from Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati. If you’re looking for some eye candy, we have our video and photos sections for each respective brand. All these components are designed to engage our visitors in one centralized location and of course, we have our forum section which allows you to participate in the latest topics.

ABARTH 695 GBR 3000 as seen on FiatTech

CC5C: Thanks for that. What you just outlined happens to be one of the things that blew me away on my first visit. I thought, "This is what I want in a FIAT site." Rather than way too many adverts, there is actual… usable… content. That's fantastic!

You cover ALL THINGS FIAT. Are you sponsored by the company or is this an 100% independent effort? If it's an independent effort, please share how much time/effort goes into something like this news outlet.

FiatTech: Although we have access to all Fiat S.p.A news, press releases and multimedia, we have no affiliation or exclusivities with their head office.  Most of the news is automatically fed into the site through RSS feeds. The latest news is written by myself, because some sites might not have that particular news event available to them yet.

Every morning we scour through all the media outlets to make sure Fiattech has the latest. We also like to add a Ride of the Day which can be either a picture or video of a Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Maserati or Lancia model. We find that we get great reactions to these efforts.

Images like this one keep FiatTech fans rabid

CC5C: I love your 'Ride of the Day' feature. Each morning, I await that update. Because, we feature a lot of FIAT history/heritage on the blog and the Facebook page, I thoroughly enjoy seeing all the photos I haven't seen yet. You do a great job there. I DIG IT.

And you have the forum too. I really dig the vibe there. A short skimming of topics reveals a place for FIAT super fans. You must be proud of the group you've gathered there so far. How do you manage to attract them? Any idea how that happened?

FiatTech: The forum is a necessity for Fiattech. After participating on other forums, we found there was too much negativity. Opinions are great and we encourage that, but purposely disrespecting a vendor or fellow member does nothing for the atmosphere of a community.

We invited the best contributors from other forums in order to make this a positive atmosphere and I’m more than happy with the maturity and knowledge that is being shared between members and vendors.

Just one of the helpful vendors found at FiatTech

CC5C: I enjoy that as well. Everyone contributes. That is exactly how a community is not only built but thrives. The level of respect exchanged between all parties involved is quite remarkable. Bravo!

So, you're doing the live FIAT News feeds and you're doing the FIAT Fan forum. Are there other FIAT-related activities in your life? Clubs? Drives? Motorsport? Please, share some of that with us.

FiatTech: We do have some local drives and gatherings, but nothing really associated with the Fiattech name as of yet. That will be another stage. We do have some plans for Fiat Freakout in Chicago this year, but that’s under wraps for now.

CC5C: Ah! Cliffhanger!! Thanks for giving CC5C blog readers a peak behind the wizard's curtain. I'm sure we'll be touching base, here again, sooner than later. Until that time...

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

Explore. Express. Unite.: Pt 1

Benvenuti amici!

As you may have noticed, we are always working to evolve into more than a blog designed to entertain our local club between gatherings of La Famiglia. So, when we are not covering the latest updates from #BryanThompson (and other passionate entusiasts, designers and/or modders) we are covering FIAT-related history as well as our picks for places you can get your FIAT fix (online or in-print).

There is no shortage of #FIAT news sources and forums on the internet. Since FIAT S.p.A. repositioned themselves as a global player and announced the upcoming change to their corporate logo… a reflection of their mutually beneficial relationship with Chrysler Group LLC... the 'net has been alight with up-to-the-minute FCA news. 

The challenge to find an online home for news and FIAT-related entertainment has been covered, in a broader way, on this very blog. We listed our Top 5 list of sources for FIAT news. As was predicted in that entry, the fourth entry of said list has quickly become our forum home. 

FiatTech is the most complete independent news/entertainment site in the digital world. The site wrestled that bragging right from our former favorite indie site... FIAT Group's World. Covering everything from corporate financial news to the latest in FIAT Motorsport, FiatTech rivals even the corporate-driven blog, FIAT Backstage. In the simplest of terms, the FiatTech has quickly become the one-stop choice for all things FIAT.

Today, we are fortunate enough to catch up with the folks at FiatTech. 

CC5C: Hello. How're you? I imagine keeping up with the site and your other work must keep you pretty busy. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. As you know, the CC5C is fanatical about all things FIAT. #fiattech has become a daily part of that fanaticism.

FiatTech: I’m doing great and thanks for having me here.

CC5C: So, let's jump into the deep end of the pool. With the forums and news sites currently covering FIAT S.p.A., what inspired you to create FiatTech?

FiatTech: Well while visiting and participating in other forums, I noticed that members were posting links to other web sites in regards to news or a cool video they found online. That’s great and all, but I thought to myself, "wouldn’t it be great if you could find Fiat related news and links in a more centralized location?" I wanted to create a place where you could wake up in the morning, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and engage yourself into the daily Fiat world.  A place where you could read articles on the history of the brand and immerse yourself in some heritage and tradition. I think Fiattech.com is slowly accomplishing that.

CC5C: As you know, time is a precious commodity and the internet has helped create an attention deficit in nearly everyone. What, specifically, do you feel FiatTech offers to a discerning reader? What separates your site from other options?

Fiattech: Unlike other sites, we believe the Fiat brand is a world effort. We want to be able to share news and events from all around the world. Whether it's the Trofeo championships of Europe, the Competizione Series of Argentina or the recent introduction of the Abarth brand in both India and Australia, we feel everyone should have some insight as to what Fiat is doing to expand their image around the world. Fiat is not only about the 500, it’s about other premiere brands such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati. I find that most enthusiasts that own a Fiat appreciate some news about those other brands. It brings some excitement to their lives and makes them aware that there really is another element to the Fiat brand.

To be continued…

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@

CC5C: News & Forums

Benvenuti amici!

As is the case with any brand and/or product, FIAT has many official and unofficial news outlets. We thought we would share a few of our regular information streams. To be certain, there are many others, but you would be hard pressed to beat those on this list...

FIAT S.p.A., FIAT-Chrysler News, FIAT Backstage

These sites, of course, are the ultimate authority on FIAT EU/NA (European Union/North America) news. No nasty rumors. No market speculation. No nonsense. Only facts.

Nothing drives me crazy like the 'rumor mill'. Speculative debate is fine, but improperly researched reporting is not only irresponsible. It is also a disservice to consumers. The purchase of an automobile, from  the ROI (Return on Investment) perspective, is already the worst financial investment most of us will ever make. The last thing we need is some professional loading the system with bad data. It accomplishes nothing good… save moving more copies for peddlers of garbage news. That is largely why we stick to the info coming out of Torino/Detroit HQ.

A world of automotive innovation since 1899

However, I realize many people (especially in the USA) often prefer the independent variety of news sources. So, you may also want to explore one or more of these sites...

Top Gear UK

If you dig cars at all, "There can be only one". Simple. End of.

Top Gear UK team & logo

FIAT Group's World

I consider this blog to be one of the most informative independent online sources available.

Only FIAT S.p.A. delivers more precise/bankable news. To add some degree of entertainment value, the author (Felipe Munoz) encourages reader participation via surveys & polls. Munoz has been including Chrysler news on a consistent basis. His is a complete FIAT news source… providing a peek into the global activity of the automaker. Are you interested in FIAT sales performance & strategies around the globe? Are interested in learning about FIAT S.p.A. product which is unavailable in North America? Are you interested in reading about all FIAT-owned brands in one place? Then, this is your site. Updates are not as common as they are with forums, but the info is very reliable.

Fiat Group's World logo

FiatTech, FiatTech Facebook page

This online start-up was created, and is run, by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. As such, it is another 'no nonsense' news source. 

Before purchasing my first FIAT 500, I did a lot of online researching. Unfortunately, at the time, there were limited North American news outlets for true/real FIAT information. Domestic build issues, reliability reports and real world performance information was hard to come by. When one did find something one was faced with the frustration of sifting through opinions and silly acronyms to get any usable info. In most cases, one was forced to lean on the information coming out of the EU to learn something of what to expect when investing in the North American reintroduction of the FIAT brand.

Sites like FiatTech (there are not many out there yet) are making research a much easier & more pleasant experience. The folks at FiatTech are active members of the FIAT community committed to uniting it and providing the most reliable FIAT news. Their news feeds are relevant and one visit to their forum makes clear the intent to promote passion for the entire FIAT 'umbrella' brand. It is the best NA one-stop FIAT-related gearhead forum on my radar. The motto says it all with three simple words.

FiatTech logo

FIAT 500 USA

Fifth place goes to a site/forum with strong ties to one of the oldest FIAT clubs in North America. F5U (FIAT 500 USA) is a news site/forum dedicated to the new (2007) FIAT 500 family (500, 500c, 500L, 500X, 500e & A500). The F5U forum (blue) is better moderated and more FIAT-dedicated than the F5O forum (red). There are a lot of vendor ads on the forum. This can be a bit distracting and adds to page load times, but the ads are FIAT-related and can be useful. I find this forum to casual owners, hardcore fans and general gearheads.

I designed this original grille badge logo, inspired by the generic, universal and all-inclusive name of the Auto Guide FIAT forum. It's perfect for anyone/everyone in the FIAT 500 Owners World.

F5O logo created & © Amado Rodriguez Jr

That, my friends, is my Top 5 list for FIAT news & entertainment. If you are considering a new FIAT purchase, I suggest you check them out before doing so. If you are considering a move from one new FIAT to another, I suggest you check them out before doing so. Of course, you can find links to these sites and much, much more here.

Until we meet, again, on the web…

Vivere.Amare.Guidare.

Ciao!

@