The presentation from Fiat-Chrysler on future plans for the Chrysler brand and models has been comprehensive, if a little confusing, and confirms much of what was already thought. The Fiat 500 will be the first Fiat group model to reach American shores, late next year, with dedicated sales teams and “salons” in Chrysler showroooms.

The hope is that the cute little Fiat 500 will hold much of the same fascination for the Americans as the Mini, with its retro style winning hearts. It will be followed by the Fiat 500 cabrio in 2011 and the Abarth 500 in 2012, in a logical progression which will be the first introduction to the US market and distribution channels for Fiat.

As for Chrysler models, there will be a number of “special editions” launched to get the last few models off the production line. The 300, Town and Country, Sebring and PT Cruiser will transform into a sports edition, fashion edition, ocean edition and final edition respectively, to tie the models over before new production, style and models kick off later next year and into 2011.

The Jeep Patriot and Compass models are being replaced by models from Fiat, most likely in the form of the Fiat Panda, while the Wranger model will get a makeover in the next couple of years. In other brands, the Dodge Viper is on its way out, but it could turn up again later in the five-year plan with Chrysler executives happy to have one of the world’s greatest supercar manufacturers on its side; and the Caliber and Dakota have also been cut.

Other Dodge models will be supplied by Fiat in the future, though nearly the entire product plan for new models is stretching to 2012-2013. If Chrysler can hang in there with the quick-fix solution of a few special editions, the plan looks healthy, otherwise Fiat might be a bit late to the party. Only time will tell. For an excellent breakdown of the product plan, see the guys’ work at Autoblog, otherwise check it all out on the Chrysler site yourself but be warned - there’s some hard reading to had!