Fiat 500 models confirmed for US

500 Abarth in the flesh / Fiat

500 will be the only Fiat offered in Chrysler showrooms

By Christopher Jackson
July 3, 2009 6:47 PM
Filed Under: European, Fiat, Production

The prayers of many American enthusiasts were answered today as Fiat's CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that the Fiat 500 will indeed be coming to the U.S. When Fiat purchased a 20-percent stake in Chrysler and announced plans to add smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles to the lineup, many hoped that this would mean a reintroduction of the Fiat and Alfa Romeo brands to North America. The adorable Fiat 500 was at the top of many wish lists.

The Fiat 500's arrival was hinted at in April, when Chrysler executives showed up on stage driving a 500. Marchionne has confirmed that four Fiat 500 models will be sold in the U.S.: the hatchback, convertible, Abarth and an estate model. The 500 will be the only Fiat product to leap the pond. "All of those cars will be coming to the U.S.," Marchionne said. "Fiat will be known in the US purely in terms of its 500 car."

Chrysler has been hurting for a viable small car for many years. The Neon was popular, but had a much-deserved reputation for poor quality, and its successor the Dodge Caliber has proven to be less popular. The cheeky, MINI Cooper-baiting Fiat 500 is certain to bring some excitement back to Chrysler's showrooms. No on-sale dates or pricing have been announced.

Source: none

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Tags: 500, Fiat 500

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Comments

alessandro

July 3, 2009 8:12 PM

Hahahaaaa - Chiao, "uno cugino della Ferrari" is there!

sensei

July 3, 2009 9:45 PM

Once again, The Big Three American companies prove that the ysimply cannot innovate a small car on their own and have to get this simple technology from overseas. :(

arnold812

July 3, 2009 10:06 PM

I wouldn't say that the Big 3 cannot "innovate a small car" on their own. They chose to put their money in developing trucks and SUVs neglegting passenger cars and small cars. But that is starting to change. One thing is for sure, Small cars from Europe are way more advanced than what we have in North America. I for one am glad to see the Fiat 500 come overseas.

jamaicandude

July 3, 2009 10:12 PM

I love the 500 Abarth, and would drive one in a heartbeat. If it's good enough for Michael Schumacher, it sure is good enough for me.

captwhizbang

July 4, 2009 12:53 AM

This little fellow will be for sale right across the street from my Mini dealership...EEK!

AMGBrabusMercTuners

July 4, 2009 1:02 AM

i wonder, is it goin to be the Chrysler 500 (funny, the 300C is a bigger car with a smaller #) watever they call it i hope the abarth version id left alone and they don't soften it for the US market like Holden did when they sold the Monaro as the Pontiac GTO

WildMaverick1200

July 4, 2009 2:28 AM

That's one really cool car. It's ironic that Chrysler once manufactured the engines on the previous Mini Coopers.

BabyMilo

July 4, 2009 8:48 AM

It'll be popular for a while and then the novelty will ware off and itll be too small for the Americans

djcocum

July 6, 2009 6:59 PM

That's what some people thought about Mini, and look how succesful has become worlwide

9TNine

July 5, 2009 5:08 PM

Very trendy Euro car...!

But why would culturally different America want one? Somehow I don't see it being the choice for Rednecks.

mldrieling

July 6, 2009 8:15 PM

There is more to Americans than rednecks 9TNine. It's probably a great car but it's too small. I live in the country and routinely travel 200 miles in a day (on the weekends) and that car might not hold up well with that type of driving.

Razz

July 12, 2009 10:51 PM

It will be sold in US in such large no.s that Fiat would have to produce it over there in an ex Chrysler facility, i am very sure about that.

It's a cool and little trendy super mini car (the Abarth) and every teenager will have to own one to be cool, and with the price tag without the Italian VAT of 20 % and no tax for EUR import, the price will be reduced with about 20 % .. lucky americans :).

Talking about the "simple" technology, i wonder, how complex can it be to put a one room apartment on big "rimz" with a huge 8000 cmc engine V8 with 190 HP and some welding under, to sell the big 'ol traditional SUV to the us people ?? If you ask me, only : Escalade, Equinox and the F150 (250, etc..) should survive in this "kill the complex technology SUV" campaign.

mldrieling : just imagine this .. for those 200 miles of yours from weekend, how will you feel to pay 1/3 of the price paid for gas on your previous car ?

The fiability of the EUR cars i might say that is much better than the american cars, so next time think at some good arguments.

Edited by user on July 12, 2009 at 11:03 PM

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