Fiat 500 could come to America, via an American plant
Fiat hasn't sold cars in the U.S. market in more than two decades, but they could be coming back within two years. At least the tiny 500 could be on its way. Fiat was already known to be looking for a location for a North American assembly plant to produce Alfa Romeos for our market. Alfas are scheduled to be on sale here around the end of 2009 and a plant is scheduled to be online by 2010. The same plant could also end up producing the 500. Speaking at a conference in Europe last week, Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne declared that he felt the 500 could prove popular in the U.S. market and could be sold as a stand-alone brand in much the same way that MINI stands apart from parent BMW. Marchionne wants to finish rolling out the rest of the 500 lineup before launching it in the US. Next year a convertible will join the current 3-door hatch and a longer wheelbase model à la
the MINI Clubman will follow a year later. If the 500 is built here, the upcoming Alfa Romeo Mi.To could also join the party, making for a fascinating lineup of small cars.[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rick 6:29PM (5/27/2008)
5 doors! 5 doors! (or at least 4 doors!!)
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Unlucky_O 11:29AM (5/27/2008)
Another Disappointing read. is there not a more solid alternative to choose from. we need to end our dependency on oil not redesign newer smaller cars. we don't need to waste money on manufacturing plants, internal combustion engines are going to be out dated sooner then later.
what about Electric cars? why am i still not seeing more electric cars on the roads?
Lithium battery's have their jives but i know we can work them out if we can get enough money into R&D.
What do you think Samiam?
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Brett 3:34PM (9/09/2008)
Well, if all cars on the road were electric, where do you think the electricity would come from? It still has to be produced. If we increase the demand and load for electricity nationally, guess what, more coal burning and nuclear fuel burned. It simply shifts the burden from the auto to the utility provider.
T2 12:27PM (5/27/2008)
I wonder which engine they would be fitting in this vehicle for our market. I am looking forward to see what the Fiat 900cc parallel twin with turbocharger ( Panda Aria concept) would be like to drive.
T2
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Wave54 1:48PM (5/27/2008)
@ Unlucky O
This isn't an all-or-nothing game. IC engines will be around for decades -- if they are more fuel-efficient and can power desirable cars at an appealing price, we move in the right direction.
10 years ago, secretaries traded in economical Corollas for V8 Grand Cherokees for all the wrong reasons. Small and frugal will likely be the new status symbol and the Fiat 500 can play a part in that paradigm shift.
I don't see a downside here -- less metal and plastic, less footprint on the road, less fuel, less pollutants -- and built in the US, as well.
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hodad66 5:43PM (5/27/2008)
keep em coming..... more choices!!
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doug 10:08PM (5/27/2008)
Maybe they could partner with Ford to build it in the US. The next Ford Ka is based on the 500.
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Patrick 4:50PM (8/30/2008)
Yeah, I'd love to be able to get either a Ka or 500 within the next 2-3 years. I found this site the other day for a company that is trying to bring Fiats to the states. I don't think their officially affiliated with Fiat, though, and are instead a bit of a lobbying group. I sent them an email with some questions, but haven't heard back yet.
http://fiatusa.info/home
The address they used was actually the local post office in NW Portland, so I'm betting they're not real, and/or are just a wannabe group.
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