Barrington may get one of area's first Fiat dealerships

The Barrington village board has passed a resolution supporting the Wickstrom Auto Group's efforts to acquire one of four Fiat dealerships being made available in the Chicago area.

Colin Wickstrom, who with his family operates Wickstrom Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram & Ford Lincoln Mercury on Northwest Highway, said the civic support will be helpful in his auto group's bid for a Fiat franchise.

Fiat, the Italian carmaker, is expected to make a decision on its four Chicago area locations by late October, Wickstrom said.

The Wickstrom Auto Group has been in Barrington for 25 years. In 2008 that it acquired the Chrysler Jeep Dodge portion of its business, only weeks after the closure of Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge nearby.

Wickstrom believes a Fiat franchise would be a good fit for both his existing auto group and the Barrington area. He already has the space to put it at the former site of the Joe Gentile dealership on Northwest Highway.

"Barrington is quite a car destination, if you think about it," Wickstrom said.

Barrington Village President Karen Darch said the Wickstrom Auto Group has been a good business citizen and that the addition of a Fiat franchise would be a boon to the community.