Ask and you shall receive: Fiat 500 to U.S. in 2010?
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fiat 500
Could it be? Is the United States going to get access to the spunky Fiat 500 that we've been so anxiously waiting for? Sounds like a distinct possibility, at least according to Motor Trend, which claims to have it on good authority that the Italian automaker is eying a potential sale date in 2010 for its little city car. Before that can take place, the 500's cute-as-a-button front end needs a slight redesign in order to meet with the approval of the Feds for safety purposes. Hopefully, the change would be subtle. Unfortunately for Canadians, they're likely going to miss out due to the cost of modifying the 500 to meet Canadian crash test requirements. The rumor continues that the Fiat 500 would share space in U.S. Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep showrooms, offering an already established distribution chain, which is exactly what the Italian automaker has been missing. Fiat's 100-horsepower 1.4 16-valve four cylinder powerplant is reportedly the engine that's being considered for American shores. A turbocharged Abarth couldn't be too far behind, could it?
Gallery: Fiat 500
[Source: Motor Trend]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ronEbear 3:13PM (1/22/2009)
The Canadian government needs to shift its ass into gear and revise the safety requirements to match those of the U.S.A.
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required 8:06PM (1/22/2009)
I don't know about that as I do not find that ours is the end all be all. In fact ours often seem to be spec'd to favor the oil industry. Keyword: overweight (not safer).
MemphisNET 3:16PM (1/22/2009)
Canada has already harmonized our crash/bumper regulations with those in the US. Am I missing something here? It was a Fiat rep that said it wasn't doable for Canada, perhaps he's unaware?
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Kev 4:26PM (1/22/2009)
It's the US that needs to harmonize with the rest of the world so the issue becomes moot (and paves the way for more obscure cars/manufacturers)
But BMW/Mercedes, ect won't have it. Why buy an expensive US market Benz' when you can get the econoboxes the other countries get?
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Brian P 7:41PM (1/22/2009)
Canada now accepts both the USA and EU bumper requirements; hopefully Fiat / Chrysler recognizes this.
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Paul Sallmen 12:49AM (1/23/2009)
Great! They should now allow you to take that VW Polo Blue Motion or that Citroen C4 home with you from that European vacation.
In the 60s and 70s, VW had a number of tourist delivery vehicles that people would pick up in Europe, drive around on vacation there, then have the cars shipped home in the US or Canada. Clearly this idea needs to come back.
Gene 8:33PM (1/23/2009)
All I can say is that a few weeks ago I witnessed a head-on accident, each car going around 45 to 50 mph. The guy in the Chevy 2500 pickup got out with no harm. The 2 in the late model Volvo were instantly dead. I admit, I have a Civic but it sure makes one think about safety after seeing such a sight.
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ambush 10:59PM (1/27/2009)
I witnessed a single vehicle accident with a chevy silverado he sideswiped a barrier at around 50-70 kmh and was lucky to escape with his life, it is all about the circumstances.
Benjamin 9:15AM (2/23/2009)
If you want the Fiat 500 to come to the US tell Chrysler at
https://www.chryslerllc.com/en/chrysler_listens/?hrf=www.chryslerlistens.com
They need to know people will buy these. The Fiat 500 Abarth will look great next to my Mini Cooper S. Its fuel efficient, its fun to drive its safe.
Make sure to tell them to bring the Abarth version
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mark 1:27PM (3/13/2009)
That will be great,fiat 500 in the US and Canada,they should take Alfa Romeo and Lancia models also,these brands have the best interior and exterior design ever.
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Ewetender 1:04PM (4/30/2009)
Why can't I locate a Fiat dealership in Florida? I see some posts refering to US crash standards, is that the only problem with importing Fiats?
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ANgus 12:40PM (5/05/2009)
Get the contract out and let me sign up! Yahoo! Make mine a n Abarth 500 Special Edition!
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charles rockwell 1:39PM (5/26/2009)
SUV's are not safer than normal cars even though they are larger. This has been amply proven.
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simonj 2:59PM (6/10/2009)
How about an electric version of this car at a decent price??
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slio 8:43PM (10/31/2009)
good !!
send me in www.clubnuovafiat500.it and www.abarthtiamo.it
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