The expansion across the Atlantic continues for Fiat with the Italian automaker promising more models to be brought to the U.S. market.
This time the announcement is that the 500C (cabriolet), the 500 Abarth and an electric 500 will also be made available stateside.
The announcement is significant because it marks an expansion not just in North American sales but also manufacturing infrastructure. The Fiat 500 in North America will be built on the continent and have different specs than its European counterpart.
Fiat says it has learned from its past mistakes and will not simply be shipping cars from factories in Italy to the United States. The North American models will be geared for the local consumer.
The North American Fiat 500 is assembled at a plant in Mexico with its 1.4 liter Multi-Air engine built at a Chrysler plant in Michigan. It features wider seats, more storage space, deeper cup-holders and a larger fuel tank compared to the Euro-spec 500.
The 500 Abarth/500C Abarth (cabriolet) is powered by a 138 bhp (140 PS / 103 kW ) 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 206 Nm (152 lb-ft) of torque.
In the United States market the 500 Abarth will sell for around $19,000.
