Chryslerpedia.org » fiat 500

The Quick Rise and Fall of Fiat

Hank — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:19:25 +0000

As quickly as Fiat came back to North America, it seems likely the tiny car will be leaving again.

Chrysler’s parent company bet big on their little automobile, last seen on US-soil in 1984. After sluggish sales, a huge decline of interest online (not to mention at dealer lots), and poor crash test ratings, Fiat may become Chrysler’s greatest disappointment.

A recent blow came from NHTSA Crash Test Results. Fiat 500 scored a three-star crash test rating, considered very poor in today’s world of high tech safety and futuristic metals:

Fiat 500 returned stateside with an uproar – JLo danced and sang around NYC in her drop-top variant, and newly erected Fiat dealerships reported high demand for the three door compact.

Unfortunately for Fiat, Chrysler is witnessing three consecutive months of declining sales figures for the 500.

The Italian auto maker’s original goal was set for 50,000 vehicle sold each year. However, less than 16,000 have sold in seven months. 29 of Fiat’s 130 dealers in the US “didn’t sell a single Fiat last month,” according to USA Today. The company has a six-month supply backed up, and is countering with $500 rebates on new vehicles.

For the sake of Chrysler’s renewal, Fiat’s survival, and the ability to market fuel efficient cars in North America, 2012 better improve the auto maker’s performance.

Chrysler Fiat 500 Aftermarket Preview

Hank — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:37:28 +0000

When most Chrysler fans think Mopar, usually images of muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger, or ever luxury models like the 300 come to mind. The enhancement company has been Chrysler’s after-market parts provider for decades. But now you can pimp out your upcoming US-based 2012 Fiat 500 with Mopar items, as they will bring tuned models to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show (aka, the NAIAS) next week.

For exteriors, the Fiat 500 includes: chrome touches on side mirrors, fuel door and exhaust tips. You can add a window-mount rack on the rear, snowboard rack and double blue striped decals all over.

As for interiors, Fiat’s 500 adds door sills with ’500′ logos, leather finish and carbon fiber-esque hand brake and shift knobs. Another tuned 500 comes in all black along with glossy black wheels. Delicious!

Source – WCF

Fiat 500 Coming to US Before 2011?

Hank — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:16:03 +0000

Is Chrysler helping their Italian owners bring the Fiat 500 to the USA by end of 2010? Seems to be – Dodge CEO and Chrysler Group design head Ralph Gilles participated in a new conference and Twitter feed yesterday, during 2010′s Chicago Auto Show. At the event, Gilles at one point revealed what Fiat lovers in North America will be happy to hear:

“Fiat 500 on sale in U.S. at end of the year”

That’s 1 – 2 years sooner then we thought Fiat vehicles would be on sale at Chrysler lots in the States. Fiat may have to adapt their tiny city cars to go along with US highway safety standards and fuel economy. Still, this is very exciting news!

Fiat Chrysler Building an Electric Car

Hank — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:46:17 +0000

What’s Italian for “Electric Car” anyway? Ask Lt. Aldo Raine – “Electrico El Caro” - We’ll have to get Rosetta Stone in preparation, because Chrysler-Fiat are going to built a tiny electrically powered auto for America. Not a hybrid mind you, a full on rechargeable little European roadster for the States.

Chrysler board member Alfredo Altavilla has informed the press that Chrysler and Fiat are working on an electric car. Although he didn’t provide specifics, Altavilla did say that the R&D process is “going very well” and that Chrysler is providing electric propulsion technology for the vehicle. Some blogs, such as thecarconnection.com, are speculating a Fiat 500-type mini city car to go electric. Hell, the electric motor on that puppy would probably be faster then their gasoline one. We are hoping to hear more around November 4th, then CEO Sergio Marchionne unveils the company’s new five-year plan.