The Quick Rise and Fall of Fiat
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.
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