FIAT CLUB AMERICA – DFW CHAPTER: AUGUST 2025 NEWSLETTER
Texas is finally realizing it is summer and throwing in some hot days. Our August meet up will take that into account. Our get together will be a meet and eat breakfast, allowing the vintage car owners with no a/c a chance to come out, mingle, and not suffer from the later day sun.
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY
August 23: Breakfast Meet Up
Norma’s Café
17721 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX
Beat the Texas Heat with this morning meet up.
8:30AM: Meet up in the parking lot
9:00AM: Move inside for some scrumptious breakfast.
Norma's Cafe: https://www.normascafe.com/
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
July 18, Concorso d’Eleganza, FIAT FREAKOUT 2025
3rd Place, Modern 124 Spider, Non-Abarth: Abigail Menz, Fiat 124 Spider Classica
July 19, Awards Banquet, FIAT FREAKOUT 20225
Darryl Stacey Award (Media and Social Networking): Tazilon Brenner
If you place in a car show, autocross, track event, etc, (or get put on a calendar!) email me at dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com and let me know so we can include you in The Winner’s Circle!
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STELLANTIS NEWS:
1. On July 29, Stellantis released their First Half 2025 results. According to the Stellantis press release, the company had net revenues of $54.79 billion, down about 13% from the same period in 2024. The company saw sequential improvements in shipments, net revenue, adjusted operating income, and industrial free cash flow compared to the Second Half 2024.
Stellantis CEO, Antonio Filosa added the following comments to the report:
““My first weeks as CEO have reconfirmed my strong conviction that we will fix what’s wrong in Stellantis by capitalizing on everything that’s right in Stellantis – starting from the strength, energy and ideas of our people, combined with the great new products we are now bringing to market.
2025 is turning out to be a tough year, but also one of gradual improvement. Signs of progress are evident when comparing H1 2025 to H2 2024, in the form of improved volumes, Net revenues, and AOI, despite intensifying external headwinds. Our new leadership team, while realistic about the challenges, will continue making the tough decisions needed to re-establish profitable growth and significantly improved results.”
2. On July 18, 2025, Stellantis stockholders approved the appointment of Antonio Filosa as Stellantis CEO.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
While Alfa Romeo is struggling in North America, globally, sales are up. Overall, Alfa saw sales increase 20%, with year to year First Half growth over 33% in the UK, France, the Netherlands, Italy, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Alfa Romeo is relaunching in the Asia-Pacific and Australia. The Alfa Romeo Junior has taken the leading role in the charge, somewhat surprisingly outpacing the Stelvio.
Fiat:
1. Fiat appears to be ready to introduce a new model to North America. Fiat USA now lists the Topolino quadricycle in their lineup, available in 2026. Fiat is gauging customer reaction before they commit to bringing the Topolino to North America.
The Topolino is a tiny EV that offers 47 miles of range and 3 hour recharging. It is meant strictly as a city car or for use in closed communities.
While most of us probably can’t use the tiny runabout, it gives hope that Fiat may consider other models in the future.
2. According to Stellantis, production of the hybrid 500, featuring the 1.0L Firefly engine, will begin in November 2025 at the Mirafiori factory in Turin. Fiat hopes to produce 100,000 units of the hybrid 500 per year.
Lancia:
Lancia experienced a rough First Half in 2025, with sales dropping a mind boggling 70+%. With no new models coming out til 2026 (the Gamma), one hopes Lancia can hang on long enough for their future additions to their lineup hit the market.
Maserati:
Alfa Romeo and Maserati CEO Santo Ficili says the two companies will work together more frequently in the future and hinted at a full ICE, manual, high performance car in the future.
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
1. Fiat Freakout 2025 was a big success! Over 100 members met in the Wisconsin Dells in July for food, fun, friends, family, and Fiats. You can go here: https://guestcam.co/guest/WLrqSlRABQ/gallery
To see lots of photos and videos from the Freakout.
2. At the Awards Banquet at Freakout, the location on Freakout 2026 was revealed as Gettysburg, PA!
3. Our annual election cycle is about to begin. Be looking for a Call for Nominations email to go out August 15th. Fiat Club America needs passionate members who would like to actively contribute to leading, growing, and improving the club. If you would like to volunteer and/or know someone you think fits the bill, get your nomination(s) ready!
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CHAPTER NEWS:
1. I recently had a polo shirt embroidered with our club logo on it. Pics are included. I can get more copies made in whatever size you want for $30/shirt
I will send out a separate e-mail late this week outlining how to submit an order for a shirt.
2. We had hoped to do a Lime Creek/Cow Creek run northwest of Austin in October. Recent rains have wiped out a lot of the Cow Creek road, so that idea is out for a year or two. Instead, we are now looking at doing a go kart event at Dallas Karting in Caddo Mills, TX. The Dallas Karting Complex offers two outside 0.75 mile tracks as well as axe throwing inside. The cost is $30 per session. If we have 10+ people express a desire to go, we can add in a 2 hour party room rental for the same $30/person. If we get 10 people who want to drive twice, we can get 2 sessions plus the 2 hour party room for $50/person.
Race sessions are 10 minutes long. You must be 14 or older to drive the adult karts. Head socks and helmets are included.
PLEASE RESPOND to: dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com and let me know if you would like to go! I need to know if we will have 10 or more people in order to call them and get the package deal. If we do not get 10 people, fear not, we can still show up and drive for $30 per session.
Rumor has it, a trophy may be up for grabs.
We are looking at doing the Karting day on October 25th.
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We are getting to that time of year where we need to start looking at events for 2026. If you have any input, please send it to me at dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com. Additionally, we will probably create a get together for 2026 planning purposes sometime in October or November. This is a great chance for you to help decide what we will be doing next year, so don’t be shy! We truly do want your input. Until then, whenever you can, enjoy your Italian vehicles and
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
Fiat Club America – DFW Chapter
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SPONSORS:
Park Cities Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat – We are still getting a 15% discount on parts, labor, and service. Unlike before (where you had to ask for a specific service advisor), you can now let any service advisor know you are in the club to receive the discount.
Drop Top Tees - An online Spreadshirt shop with T-shirts, and V-necks for 124 Spiders, Abarth 124s, Classic 124s, Fiat 500s, X1/9s, Giulias, and some especially for the DFW Fiat Club! https://droptoptees.myspreadshop.com/
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----2025 CALENDAR----
AUGUST
23RD: Breakfast Meet Up at Norma’s Café
17721 Dallas Pkwy, Dallas, TX
Beat the Texas Heat with this morning meet up.
8:30AM: Meet up in the parking lot
9:00AM: Move inside for some scrumptious breakfast.
Norma's Cafe: https://www.normascafe.com/
SEPTEMBER
6TH: Italian CarFest
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN HERE: https://tickets.grapevineticketline.com/.../italiancarfes...
NOTE: Scammers are posting on Facebook claiming you should register through them. The ONLY place you can register is at the above link.
Italian CarFest (ICF) is the largest all Italian car show in north Texas. Held at the historic Nash Farm, it is one of the kickoff events for the City of Grapevine’s annual GrapeFest. From Ferraris to Fiats, Lamborghinis to DeLorean, Alfa Romeos, Lancias, Maseratis, Moto Guzzis, Vespas and marques you may have never heard of, the ICF has something for every Italian motor enthusiast.
There will be music, food, drink, and security on site.
The Italian Car Club of North Texas and the City of Grapevine combine to host the event.
If you would like to volunteer to help park cars or set up/take down the event, please let me know.
Stay abreast of this event here: https://www.italiancarfest.org/
OCTOBER
25TH: (tentative) Go Kart Racing at the Dallas Karting Complex
5025 FM 1565, North Caddo Mills, TX
Times are TBD.
We are thinking of meeting at Luigis in Rockwall for lunch, then continuing down IH-30 to Caddo Mills afterwards for the karting.
Cost is $30/10 minute session. If we have 10+ people interested, we can get a package deal that gives everyone two 10 minute sessions plus a 2 hour party room for $50/person. Or, with 10+ attendees, the one $30 session will include a 2 hour party room.
Axe throwing sessions are also available to purchase on site.
Please RSVP to dfwfiatclubfca@gmail.com if interested. Unlike most of our events, we need a hard number of attendees to get the package deals.
NOVEMBER
15TH: Fort Richardson Living History Day
Join us and take a step back in history to life on the Texas frontier.
Ft Richardson State Park will have re-enactors giving visitors a glimpse of live in a north Texas fort during the Civil War and Indian War Periods.
We will start the day off meeting up at the Buc-ees near Texas Motor Speedway, then caravan to Yesterday's 50s Diner in Bridgeport, TX for lunch.
Lunch menu: https://yesterdays50sdiner.com/menu
After lunch, we will cruise to Ft Richardson.
9:30AM: Meet up at Buc-ees. 15901 N Freeway, Ft Worth, TX
10:00AM: Short driver's meeting.
10:10AM: Depart for Yesterday's. (38.2 miles, ~ 40 minutes)
10:50AM: Arrive Yesterday's 50s Diner 305 US-380 Bridgeport, TX
11:00AM: Move inside for lunch.
12:00PM: Depart for Ft Richardson (25.8 miles, ~ 28 minutes)
12:30PM: Arrive Ft Richardson
NOTE: Some of you coming from north of the metroplex may wish to meet us at Yesterday's. Try to be there before 11AM. Our goal is to move inside and eat as soon as Yesterday's opens.
Ft Richardson Day Use Pass:
$4.00 per adult (13 y/o and up)
Free - under 13 y/o
If you already have a season pass for Texas state parks, admission is free.
The Living History Day events are FREE with a paid Day Use Pass.
DECEMBER
13TH?: Annual Toy Run With Ferrari Club America – DFW Chapter
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Tazilon Brenner
DFW Chapter Leader
FCA Board of Directors