Fiat's recently revealed 500 has been a great success for the company and they expect to be sold out of the new small car until 2008. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne recently stated that the car could make it to the U.S. by 2010.
The new Fiat 500 is based on the Panda platform that is shared with the 2008 Ford Ka. With the recent success of the MINI and the fact that the Smart car will be sold here next year, this car could be what Fiat needs to re-enter the U.S. market, successfully. It is not known how the car would be sold here and if this would be the only Fiat that would make it across the pond. Marchionne stated that if the 500 does make it to the U.S. it does not mean that other Fiats will also follow it.
Since Alfa Romeo will soon be available in the U.S. again, it would be relatively easy to use that dealer network to sell the Fiat 500. Will the same market that loves the Mini embrace this tiny Fiat?
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Comments (18)
That thing's like a sore dick.. you can't beat it!!
Posted by Jim Dangle | April 25, 2007 3:02 AM
Posted on April 25, 2007 03:02
Yeah, until it gets squashed like a bug by an Expedition or Suburban on the highway.
Posted by David | April 25, 2007 8:22 AM
Posted on April 25, 2007 08:22
What an ugly little car.
The interior looks pretty cool, if it is cheap and handles well I'd still consider it.
Posted by Al Dente | April 25, 2007 12:01 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 12:01
What a stupid looking car... A VW beetle wana be. Why are they bringing that trash to the USA?
Grumble, grumble, I guess considering how a lot of Americans are buying extremely ugly cars these days, because it is "cool" or "trendy", perhaps they'll find success here?
Posted by gamebro | April 25, 2007 12:19 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 12:19
It's sad to see people who will say anything just to keep better designed cars out of the U.S. "it's stupid looking" "it's only for the trendy".
It's actually quite a hit in Italy. Of course Fiat is the number one car-maker in Italy, so it being popular probably should go without saying, but still. What makes Italy different from the US? Oh yeah...most US motorists are ignorant.
Posted by CoolBone | April 25, 2007 12:41 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 12:41
Coolbone.
That is a relatively ignorant reply on your own part.
Fiat left the market previously because thier reliability was terrible, among other things. Saying its a hit in italy does not immediately make it a quality item.
I got a joke for you that comments on italian engineering:
Heaven is where:
Germans are engineers
Italians are the Cooks
British are the police
Hell is where:
Italians are the Engineers
British are the Cooks
Germans are the police
BTW, in the interest of full disclosure, I am of german decent.
Posted by Peyoteboy | April 26, 2007 2:14 PM
Posted on April 26, 2007 14:14
thats a redesigned fiat 500 wich has a cult status, i think the designers did an awesome job keeping the retro style. What an awesome car, and very beautiful too
Posted by Flavio | May 27, 2007 1:31 PM
Posted on May 27, 2007 13:31
I don’t want to wait till the end of Summer :( , I want it now. Who with me?
save your time and join me. ;)
Posted by BustyBoots | May 31, 2007 7:34 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 19:34
There was a reason FIAT left the US. Sales sucked and their reliability was atrocious. Remember FIAT stands for
Fix It Again Tony.
Posted by Mark | June 22, 2007 5:30 PM
Posted on June 22, 2007 17:30
yeh ok... this is a very beautifull car... and italians are yes a very goog cooks but also good engineers... ferrari and alfa romeo!!
i think that you judge to fast!!! :-)
Posted by Biolco | July 22, 2007 8:06 AM
Posted on July 22, 2007 08:06
I know the old "Fix It Again Tony" thing. But it's important to realize that since those days, Fiat has done a lot of homework.
I just returned to the U.S. from a trip to Italy. Rental car was a 2007 Fiat Bravo (Honda Civic size car) 1.9L TDI (turbo diesel). Averaged around 38 mpg combined over hills, hairpin turns, Autostradas, A/C on most of the time. Regular diesel fuel is around $6 per gallon (gasoline costs more. Biodiesel is also universally available; slightly more expensive). Remember 38 mpg. The car is comfortable, responsive and fast. It will cruise at 100 mph all day. Acceleration is excellent thanks to diesel torque and the turbo. There's no smoke, diesel sounds are muted and with coming Mercedes BlueTec technology (no doubt available to anyone under license) it would be a good product for the U.S. market if we can put aside old notions about Fiat quality and what we remember about old diesels.
Posted by Al | July 27, 2007 11:36 AM
Posted on July 27, 2007 11:36
IMHO it's just another neo-contemporary redesign of a classic, like the VW bug and Mini. The interior looks great. The exterior, OK, but when you talk about being squashed by a Expedition or Suburban you must assume that your Expedition or Suburban is still running, or that you can still get and afford gasoline for it. Otherwise you can learn to control your Expedition or Suburban and not drive over other people just because they don't have the same arrogant redneck ideas that you have.
Posted by Mandae | October 30, 2007 8:00 AM
Posted on October 30, 2007 08:00
o fiat 500 será lançado no brasil e quando?
Posted by adilson juvino | November 13, 2007 10:26 PM
Posted on November 13, 2007 22:26
of course it's too small for rednecks in us, so keep shat you fat bustards :), like david and jim dangle
Posted by ruth | November 14, 2007 5:12 PM
Posted on November 14, 2007 17:12
Mark,
I thought FIAT stands for Fix It Again Tomaro.
Posted by Tommy Boy | January 28, 2008 4:03 PM
Posted on January 28, 2008 16:03
I thought FIAT stands tor Fix It Again Tommaro.
Adilson Juvino, type in english please.
Posted by Tommy Boy | January 28, 2008 5:41 PM
Posted on January 28, 2008 17:41
needs salt
Posted by undecided | March 24, 2008 4:22 AM
Posted on March 24, 2008 04:22
It's actually made in Poland and the quality is said to be very good.
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=1162&
Posted by Tony | May 18, 2008 4:02 PM
Posted on May 18, 2008 16:02