Chrysler chooses 600 dealerships for possible Fiat franchises

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/11/chrysler-chooses-600-dealerships-for-possible-fiat-franchises/#continued

I'm shocked New Orleans made the list. We don't have Mini and Porsche closed last year; nearest dealer for both is in Baton Rouge. Fingers crossed we make the final cut...500 here I come!

 

No Idaho either but that is not surprising at all. Not the right market around here. I'm really stoked though for Fiat though.


Any idea when the 500 pre-orders start???

 

One step closer to reality!

I have a feeling the 500 will do quite well.

 

Don't know. Might be somewhere on their FB page: http://www.facebook.com/FiatUSA#!/FiatUSA

 

They started. I put my money down on a red one with Fiat when they attended our Fiat Lancia Unlimited convention in July.

http://www.flu.org/

 

Anyone else buying one? I really like it. It should be a nice alternative to Mini/Smart,etc. The Abarth should be a lot of fun when it arrives as well.

 

Report: Fiat wants to sell 50,000 500s in the U.S. through 165 dealers

 

I think the Fiat name is going to be absolute poison in the USA, no matter how cute the car might be. I think a Fiat made in Mexico will be like curare topping on the cake. And I think a Fiat made in Mexico and distributed by Chrysler will be like a Drano enema.

And hey, I LIKE Fiats! I own a couple of them.

 

Looks like these will be sitting right next to the FIAT's!!! Several of them were sitting at O'hare by the cargo section waiting for a ride to the FIAT testing center in Michigan.

http://jalopnik.com/5632745/alfa-giuliettas-invade-michigan-freeway



Tom Tanner/Ferrari Expo 2011-Chicago April 2011

 

Nice. My Italian ownership plan thru the marques in chronological order:

2012 Fiat
2013 Alfa
2014 Maserati
2015 Enzo replacement
2016+ see 2015

 

Fix It Again Tony is a memory that hasn't faded completely. I expect there will be an uphill battle to sell them again.

 

If Jaguar could turn their quality perceptions around while active in the U.S. market, I don't see why F/I/A/T couldn't after a nearly 30-year absence. A lot of people who will be in the market for a new FIAT weren't even born when they last sold a car in the U.S.

 

make that $60k cars!!!


I think its a function of gas. i think $4 is a possibility again.

 

Many of the young people who will buy these car weren't even born when Fiat left the USA.
Sure, Muffy's parents might say, "Hey, "Fiats suck!" but their daughter will squeal "But it's so CUTE..I want one!"

So they will get a shot. If the cars are as well made as the one I drove for a few weeks, they will sell out. If on the other hand they are even a little troublesome, down the drain they will go.

 

To some... yes. But I felt the same with the first Kia's and Hyundai's. Now look at them.

It has to be cute. It has to be "italian" in style, flair, and driving style. It has to be reliable. It has to be backed up with great customer service. It has to be priced properly.

I own a Mini and I like it but the worst thing is.... it's overpriced. If Fiat can deliver something better and cheaper, I think they will have a real chance.

I'm waiting for an Abarth before my Mini heads for a new owner.

 

Any idea if they will be sold north of the border?

 

I can only hope so...even though I will lose a bunch of wagers I've made.