Chrysler to outfit Fiat 500-approved dealers with specific showroom "salons"
Fiat 500 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Listening to Chrysler's long and rambling 2010-2014 Business Plan, it was clear that the company and its dealerships are very much looking forward to finally getting the fuel efficient Fiat 500 in North America. Much like what happened when BMW launched the Mini brand eight-odd years ago, it's hoped that the cute little 500 will attract a whole new customer to the Chrysler fold.
In order to properly court those new
There will also be a full line of accessories made available to customize the new car, which we would expect will include unique color and stripe packages both inside and out along with a slew of optional wheel designs. Whatever, make ours an Abarth and we're good. Expect all of this to take place before the end of 2010 as the Fiat 500 finally starts to show up in those selected dealerships.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark Kiernan 5:00PM (11/04/2009)
Here in Italy the 500 is very popular with the young middle class. I wonder what type of market it has stateside.
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EV-1 8:29PM (11/04/2009)
The 'Cinquecento' has always had a *very* special place in my Heart ...
but
"Cute doesn't make ECO-friendly"
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wincros 10:03PM (11/04/2009)
Fiats from Chrysler. Fiestas from Ford. Wonder if that is why GM has snatched back Opel/Vauxhall.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/business/global/05gm.html
The FIAT Cinquecento is a lovely piece of design. Personally I think it will have no trouble competing with the base nonturbo MINI. The allure of the latest retro is always greater than the old retro. :-) You certainly will not see review comments about the punishing ride like you see with the MINI.
WilliamInPDX 9:22PM (11/04/2009)
I LOVE the 500! I honestly WANT one. But price will determine this cars success far more than marketing will. The 500 needs to be priced closer to Scion than to MINI, even if that makes it a "loss leader" during it's initial release. If they try to price the 500 as a "slightly less expensive" MINI, they will gain little traction simply because MINI already OWN that niche and have a proven product that performs beautifully and has strong resale value. But a Fiat 500 that competes with Toyota Yaris, Scion XD or Hyundai Accent, it has a serious chance of being a BIG player in the sub-compact class.
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Unknown 6:07AM (11/05/2009)
I wonder if Americans will really buy this tiny thing. It looks too small to me even if I grew up in Italy and my mom used to drive me to primary school in a blue Cinquecento! And why does FIAT seems to count so much on 500 to improve its image? Why didn't they start by launching Alfa Romeos?
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Lamborrari 9:47AM (11/05/2009)
I was very surprised not to hear anything at all about Alfa Romeo. I welcomed confirmation that the Fiat 500 will be sold in the US market, but it appears that Fiat will be delaying Alfa's relaunch again.
First it was 2007, then 2009, then 2010; now it seems like it'll never happen. It's possible that Alfa Romeos were never intended by Marchionne to be sold in Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealers, being directed instead at Maserati/Ferrari showroom floors, which would explain the lack of mention of Alfa Romeo in the press release.
I'll guess I'll wait for the official word from Marchionne's mouth about Alfa.
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adolf 10:31AM (11/05/2009)
the 500 is one of the most exciting vehicles to come to the states in a LONG time..
If the Arbarth esse esse comes to the states @ under 23k, i will stop my 05 SRT-4-acr upgrade path and put my money in the bank for one. white with red leather and 160hp with potential for 200+ in a very light car, Wow!
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nrb 11:11AM (11/05/2009)
I see the 500 as a more US-applicable version of the Smart car. I'd like to see it crush Smart sales.
Separate showrooms bothers me a little bit. We spent the last few years raking automakers over the coals for having too many showrooms and too many brands.
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sensible car guy 8:30AM (11/09/2009)
This should just be a 'normal car' not a Niche car. Any car that doesn't average 40 mpg city/highway combined is not worth considering. Gas will be going up again when the economy improved (eventually) so the consumer demand will be there. Sensible fuel stingy vehicles should be the norm, not a niche.
I have a big honkin' 1.9 liter 90 hp VW diesel (too big for simply doing a maximum of 70 MPH on the freeway) 2001 Golf. Even with a four speed auto, it gets 38-40 combined. I would suspect a 70 hp 1.3 liter would get me up in the 50 or 60's. So If the 500 can match get close in fuel economy or exceed my current car it, This could be my replacement car.
I'm kinda sold on small diesel though, so If Subaru keeps talking boxer diesels, or VW may bring over more efficient diesels, or hybrids (or hybrid diesels?) thats were I'm going. Best fuel economy day in day out, that's what its all about.
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