DFW CHAPTER - FIAT CLUB AMERICA MAY 2026 NEWSLETTER
In case you didn’t see it, FIAT USA reposted some of our pictures from the 6th Annual Bluebonnet tour on their Facebook page and Instagram (not sure if they posted them anywhere else). FIAT USA has expressed a desire to use some FIAT Club America activities on their social media platforms and the DFW Chapter was the first selected. Congrats to everyone for helping make our chapter one of FCA’s most active chapters. It seems others do notice!
NEXT CLUB ACTIVITY:
3rd: All British and European Car Day
NOTE: Registration closed April 29th
521 E. Lawther Dr
Bathhouse Cultural Center, White Rock Lake, Dallas
The show field opens for people setting up for clubs at 9AM and for the show cars at 10AM.
Spectators get in free so if you didn’t register a vehicle, come by and say hi! There will be food trucks and various vendors on site.
The ABCDE+ Car Show benefits the Shoes for Orphan Souls charity. Please bring a pair of new closed toe shoes to donate. Boys size 8-12 are most needed.
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THE WINNER’S CIRCLE:
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. For Q1 2026, Stellantis reports a net profit of ~$440 million, up almost $1 billion over Q1 2025. Q1 2026 net revenue totaled ~$44 billion, up 6% over Q1 2025. Stellantis states this year’s comeback is being led by North American sales, citing increases in Mexico, the USA, and in Canada. The Q1 numbers failed to convince investors; however, with shares dropping 5% based on concerns over weak cash flow.
2. On May 21st, will reveal Stellantis’ new business plans. Inside sources claim they will focus on Jeep, RAM, FIAT, and Peugeot as their core brands moving forward. Other marques in the Stellantis family will continue to receive funding and will develop their models using technology from the 4 core brands.
3. On April 29, 2026, the Jeep Rubicon reached the 1 million unit worldwide sales milestone. Jeep remains a strong performer for Stellantis. First released back in 2003, the Rubicon was originally designed by a group of Jeep engineers who were all active off-road enthusiasts. Their goal was to create a 4-wheel drive vehicle that featured what 4-wheelers truly wanted in a truck. It looks like they were wildly successful!
4. The Detroit Auto News reports white collar workers at the Stellantis NV headquarters in Auburn Hills, MI are complaining about health issues since they have returned to their office 5 days a week. Stellantis took steps to ensure their HQ was healthy for workers before everyone returned. However, complaints reached high enough numbers that state inspectors stepped in to assess the campus. No issues were found. The Detroit Auto News notes white collar workers at Ford and GM are voicing similar complaints as they are being told to return to work in the office instead of from home.
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BRAND NEWS:
Alfa Romeo:
1. Hopefully, May’s business plan drop from Stellantis will clear up some of the fog, but rumors are all over the place on Alfa Romeo’s next gen Giulia and Stelvio. We know they will (almost certainly) be based on the STLA platform and will offer hybrid, plug-in hybrid, full EV, and (almost certainly) ICE options. We know (almost certainly), the new version will be larger than the previous ones. We also know the QVs live on. But power trains? Some predict the inline 6 from Dodge. Others say the Ferrari derived twin turbo V6. Still others say a different twin turbo V-6. EV QV power estimates vary from 600 to 700 all the way up to 1,000 horsepower. All we can do is wait. Maybe more details will be revealed May 21st.
2. European Alfistis will soon enjoy Giulias and Stelvio with the Pack Performance option. Pack Performance is both a visual and performance package. Notable tweaks are a 900 watt Harman Kardon stereo system, black leather seats, carbon fiber trim bits, electronically controlled suspension called Synaptic Dynamic Control, and Chassis Domain Control. Chassis Domain Control monitors and integrates the suspension, dynamic control system, brakes, and more, keeping everything working together in sync and adjusting as needed, including locking the differential, as required by conditions.
Fiat:
1. In a move that directly impacts FIAT Club America, FIAT USA has reached out to the national organization, seeking to feature FCA events on their social media sites! As noted at the beginning of the newsletter, they have already started, sharing photos from our 6th Annual Bluebonnet Tour on Facebook and Instagram. It will be fun to watch and see what other chapters and events FIAT USA uses in the future. I think we know the FIAT Freakout 2026 in Gettysburg will be so honored!
2. FIAT just took place in Milano Design Week with their CIAO FUTURO! event. Part of CIAO Futuro! was the display of 3 automotive designs from Italian automotive design school students. The 3 design finalists created concept cars based on FIAT’s glorious small car past, projecting vintage FIAT DNA into the special needs of a future world. Visitors during Milano Design Week voted on their favorite of the 3 cars. While the event ended April 26th, the winning design has not yet been revealed.
Lancia:
The Ypsilon gains a manual! In response to the pleas of Italian Lancia drivers, Lancia has given the Ypsilon a 6-speed manual transmission. Props to all you Italian Lancia lovers across the pond who are helping keep manual transmissions alive!
Maserati:
The Trident turns 100! Maserati is 111 years old (it turns 112 in December), but 2026 marks 100 years for both the trident logo and Maserati’s role in racing. Let’s hope we see both for many more years.
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NATIONAL FIAT CLUB AMERICA NEWS:
1. Registration is OPEN for FIAT Freakout. Hosted by the Wyndham Hotel and Convention Center in Gettysburg, PA from August 18-23rd, Freakout 2026 offers all the traditional dinners and events you expect from Freakouts. To view all the planned activities and register, go here:
https://fiatclubamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=152684&item_id=2888293
NOTE: You must be a dues current member of FCA to register and attend Freakout. A link to join FCA is included on the registration page.
2. We are starting to see more and more chapters use the Events Calendar on our national website. The calendar is a great resource to follow events close to home and check out what is happening close to you if you travel. FCA chapters will always welcome visitors stopping in from around the country!
https://fiatclubamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4001&club_id=152684
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DFW CHAPTER NEWS:
1. Remember, if you want to participate in our Agnelli Cup go-kart series this year, you need to pay me $15 in person or send $15 via Venmo to:
@Michael-Brenner-70
All money received will go towards our awards for the series.
The series begins in May.
2. May will begin our Car of the Month feature. I will select a car at the ABCDE+ car show.
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May usually gives us that short lived, perfect balance between hot and cold, wet and dry that creates perfect car weather here in Texas. So, whether you are coming to a chapter event, going to the store, work, or simply enjoying your beautiful Italian vehicle -
GET OUT AND DRIVE!
Michael “Tazilon” Brenner, President
Fiat Club America – DFW Chapter
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MAY
3rd: All British and European Car Day
NOTE: Registration closed April 29th
521 E. Lawther Dr
Bathhouse Cultural Center, White Rock Lake, Dallas
The show field opens for people setting up for clubs at 9AM and for the show cars at 10AM.
Spectators get in free so if you didn’t register a vehicle, come by and say hi! There will be food trucks and various vendors on site.
The ABCDE+ Car Show benefits the Shoes for Orphan Souls charity. Please bring a pair of new closed toe shoes to donate. Boys size 8-12 are most needed.
23rd: Luigi’s Italian Café and/or Angelli Cup Day 1
Join us for lunch and skip go karting, join us just for go karting and skip lunch, or join us for both!
LUNCH AT LUIGI’S
2002 S Goliad, Rockwall
10:30AM Meet up at Luigi’s Italian Café
11:00AM Move inside to eat lunch
12:05PM Depart for Dallas Karting Complex
AGNELLI CUP DAY 1 (2 races)
5025 FM 1565, Caddo Mills, TX
12:30PM Meet up at Dallas Karting Complex
1:00PM Move inside to sign in
After we all get signed in, we will run our races. Length of time at the track depends on how many other racers are present.
Costs:
$30/race - (if we get 10 people sign up before hand, we can get a discount)
$4 head sock fee - Head sock is yours to keep so save it for the next Agnelli Cup Day! This fee is waived if you bring your own race approved helmet.
$5 daily kart maintenance fee to cover maintenance
JUNE
13th: Ol’ South Pancake House and Log Cabin Village
1509 S University Dr, Ft Worth (breakfast)
8:00AM Meet up at Ol’ South Pancake House
8:30AM Move inside for breakfast
9:40AM Depart for Log Cabin Village
2100 Log Cabin Village Ln, Ft Worth
10:00AM Meet up Log cabin Village
10:30AM Enter Log Cabin Village
Admission:
60+: $6
18-59: $7
4-17: $6
Under 4: Free
Groups of 10+: $5/person
NOTE: Service animals are the only animals allowed on the premises.
Log Cabin Village consists of 9 log cabins dating as far back as the 1840s. The cabins include a blacksmith shop, a school and features live reenactors giving you a look at many facets of life in the Texas frontier days. Log Cabin Village is maintained by Ft Worth Parks and Recreation Dept. It is Blue Star Museum.
JULY
11th: Portillos
4560 Destination Dr, The Colony (lunch)
AUGUST
1st: Norma’s
17721 Dallas Parkway, Dallas (breakfast)
18-23rd: Fiat Freakout 2026
Wyndham Hotel and Convention Center, Gettysburg, PA
To register: https://fiatclubamerica.com/content.aspx?page_id=4002&club_id=152684&item_id=2888293
29: Agnelli Cup Day 2
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
SEPTEMBER
12th: Italian CarFest
626 Ball St, Grapevine (car show)
26th: Coppell Deli and Winery
449 W Bethel Rd, Coppell (lunch)
(vineyard TBD)
OCTOBER
3rd: Red River Triumph Club European Car Show
Tarrant County College (car show)
17th: Cavalli Pizza and TUPPS Brewery
6851 Virginia Parkway, McKinney (lunch)
TUPPS Brewery
402 EW Louisiana St, McKinney
(come early and explore Adriatica Village before lunch)
NOVEMBER
7th: Agnelli Cup Day 3
Dallas Karting Complex, Caddo Mills (2 races)
21: Event TBD (I’m thinking maybe Sickies Garage)
DECEMBER
12?: Ferrari Dallas Toy Run (some kind of car rally/drive plus lunch)
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Tazilon Brenner
DFW Chapter Leader
FCA Board of Directors