Fiat will make U.S. return at Los Angeles Auto Show, after 27 years

[Wimbledon]

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticl...rs/252370/

Autocar Wrote:The Fiat brand will be re-launched in the US at the Los Angeles auto show in November, nearly 28 years after the Italian carmaker ended sales in North America.

Fiat is expected to unveil the federalised version of the 500 city car in both hatchback and cabrio forms. Although Fiat is said to be looking for dealers in 41 states, there’s no news as to what further Fiat models will be sold in the US.

Read Autocar's first drive of the new Fiat 500 TwinAir

Fiat, which now has effective control of Chrysler Jeep, has had a long association with the US, establishing a factory in the country as long ago as 1908. But it pulled the plug on sales in January 1983 after selling just 14,113 vehicles in 1982.

By 1982 only the Fiat Strada was offered in the US, alongside the 124 Spider (which had been on sale in the US since 1968) and X1/9 mid-engined roadster.

Read more on Fiat's plans for the 500 in the US

At the point Fiat exited the US, X1/9 production was handed over to Bertone in 1982 and imports continued into America until 1987 by which time the model was 15 years old. The Spider continued as the Pininfarina Spider Azzura in the US until 1985.

Fiat has also something of an image-building job to do in America. Despite its long absence from the new car market, the company's 2009 takeover of Chrysler was met by some amazement in the US, where Fiat’s old reputation for poor quality is still remembered, alongside its widely used US nickname ‘Fix It Again, Toni’.

I can't wait to see the Fiat 500 in the US.

[vwestlife]

I would advise Fiat to be as hush-hush about their past history in the USA as possible, and hope that younger buyers (not old enough to have seen it first hand) aren't informed of those Stradas, 124s, and X1/9s made from recycled Soviet steel that started rusting even before the cars reached dealerships' lots.

[Wimbledon]

(08-25-2010 08:49 AM)vwestlife Wrote:  I would advise Fiat to be as hush-hush about their past history in the USA as possible, and hope that younger buyers (not old enough to have seen it first hand) aren't informed of those Stradas, 124s, and X1/9s made from recycled Soviet steel that started rusting even before the cars reached dealerships' lots.

As a retro-inspired design, Fiat 500 marketing will certainly portray its origins in the original Fiat 500. You have a good point -- too many the residual image of Fiat is not a good one, and any advertising that recalls Fiat's history will walk a delicate line.

[BimmerGuy]

These are so cute! I cannot wait to see one. I might even add one to my family too! It looks small enough to squeeze into our oversize two car garage. I'll have to research the specs and starting planning.

David

[vwestlife]

(09-06-2010 02:22 PM)Wimbledon Wrote:  As a retro-inspired design, Fiat 500 marketing will certainly portray its origins in the original Fiat 500. You have a good point -- too many the residual image of Fiat is not a good one, and any advertising that recalls Fiat's history will walk a delicate line.

Car and Driver interviewed the proprietor of Midwest-Bayless, the USA's largest Fiat/Lancia/Yugo parts supplier, and he had some thoughts about what went wrong with Fiat in America the first time around:

Quote:Fiat never had a dedicated dealer network. In one town, Fiats were serviced by the Pontiac dealer; in another, by Oldsmobile -- who were, at heart, domestic-iron guys. Dealers would overtighten the timing belt, then the belt would break. The dealers would leave an air pocket in the cooling system when they flushed it, and the car would overheat. To work on the Fiat's electronic fuel injection in 1980, when every American car had a carburetor, was witchcraft to the dealers. Look at Fiat everywhere else in the world -- it didn't have reliability problems. The new, dedicated dealerships should solve that issue.

[Wimbledon]

Chrysler unveils U.S.-only "Fiat 500 Sport", 500C officially confirmed for U.S.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/14/chrys...h-america/

Autoblog Wrote:Chrysler has officially pulled back the covers on the American version of the Fiat 500 Sport. The pint-sized hatchback will be dueling with the Mini Cooper on our shores in short order, powered by none-other than the Fiat 1.4-liter turbocharged Multiair four-cylinder engine. The Pentastar hasn't released power figures for the American version of the powerplant, nor do we know official fuel economy numbers. However, don't expect output to vary too much from the 135 horsepower available from the 1.4-liter in its European guise.

Chrysler says the Fiat 500 will be available starting later this year. Buyers should be able to opt for one of three models initially – Sport, Pop or Lounge – though the company hasn't mentioned what kind of differentiation we'll see between the three. We do know that Sport trim will feature a nifty sunroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and painted brake calipers.

Starting next year, a convertible version of the adorable Italian will make its way to our shores as well.

Chrysler Wrote:The Fiat 500 Sport – Arriving Soon to America

September 14, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The reborn and reimagined Fiat 500 is arriving soon to America. Born in Italy, perfectly tailored for America, the Cinquecento is as vibrant and engaging as it is fit and nimble. The Sport model, featured in these images, illustrates Fiat's smart and stylish design aesthetic. Like the original Fiat 500 a half-century ago, the new Cinquecento continues its timeless value while embracing individual expression and opportunity – all infused with world-class craftsmanship.

The Cinquecento offers unique adaptations for the North American market and is designed for individuals who demand that style and fashion can coexist with practicality and functionality. Matching its sport-tuned suspension, the Fiat 500 Sport features athletically styled front and rear fascias with a larger grille and flared aerodynamic treatment. Between its unique 16-inch aluminum wheels with Mineral Gray painted pockets, the Cinquecento incorporates new body-side sill cladding for an enhanced sport appearance.

Completing this athletic vehicle's appearance are Performance Red painted brake calipers, a chromed exhaust tip and gloss black shadow-line window trim. The Fiat 500 Sport also features an available SkyDome power sun roof for an ultra-open view of the world. The Fiat 500 will be also available in the Pop and Lounge models with unique exterior cues and different equipment options.

The world-class 1.4-liter engine with Fiat's state-of-the-art MultiAir™ technology powers the Fiat 500 Sport. MultiAir significantly reduces emissions while improving fuel economy and power delivery by up to 10 percent when compared to similar engines.

The Fiat 500's technology, driving dynamics and interior features have been intelligently adapted for the North American market, and it will offer small-car buyers a stylish, high-value alternative. The all-new Fiat 500 will be available for ordering later this year in the Sport, Pop and Lounge models, followed by the all-new Fiat 500C (cabrio) in the spring of 2011.

[Wimbledon]

50,000 Fiat 500s to U.S. market, sales begin this March(!)

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/16/u-s-f...ebruary-t/

Autoblog Wrote:By September 22 the 600 Chrysler dealers given the chance to snag a Fiat dealership will need to have submitted their applications. A group of dealers are in Florida now and have been shown the U.S.-spec Fiat 500 Sport, and next month 165 of those dealers will find out that they've been chosen to sell the car. Once they get the letter, they better get to work: Chrysler expects them to have their standalone dealerships completed by next February for sales to begin in March.

That's just 90 days or so for dealers to either revamp or build from scratch, and a fair number of them will need to deal with freezing winter weather while they do it. The prize that Fiat's offering is 50,000 little cars, which would average 303 per dealer each year, and brisk aftermarket trade. Fiat's told dealers to work on the expectation of clearing a $1,500 margin on each car, so an outlet that came in at the median number is looking at $454,500 in cream. Of course, these are all imaginary numbers at this point – for now, there remain the selection process and winter and construction to get through.

[Wimbledon]

Fiat USA just released this picture of the three color schemes for the first 500 cars:

http://www.kilometermagazine.com/artman2...oices.html

[vwestlife]

Here's the base model Cinquecento (reportedly they're going to spell it out in U.S. literature):

[KevRC4130]

Very cool - I really hope these sell well here!