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I think that their being sold through Dodge/Chrysler dealers will be a support nightmare, if not a miserable buying experience. When I was shopping for a 4x4 a few years back, I walked out of two Dodge/Jeep places while closing a deal because of the slimy dealing. The closest Fiat dealer to me is one of them and they immediately put their Fiat 500s on display in the worst location on their property. I wouldn't want to be a guinea pig. If they want those dealers to support them, they should rebadge the 500 as a "new" Dodge subcompact. I don't see them overcoming Fiat's "Fix It Again Tony" legacy by being second fiddle in Dodge stores. The local Chrysler dealer was also the Alfa dealer way back when, but treated Alfas and their owners like lepers. Bad dealer support killed Fiat and Alfa in the US market decades ago, and it looks they're going to repeat the mistake. It was terrible news to read that Alfa's real re-entry to the US (the 8C is apparently sold through Ferrari dealers) will be as an Ohio-built rebadged Jeep!
Almost 1000 posts in this thread on the 500. The last half or so has a lot of info from current owners. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=297641
Ok well to straighten a few things out. Yes FIATs (and soon Alfas) are being sold through select Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealers. Only the most elite dealers have been offered the franchise. FIAT corporate requires that FIATs can only be sold in specialized FIAT "Studios" and they have to be a separate facility from the Chrysler products. FIATs cannot be displayed on the same floor with a Chrysler product. Parts for the FIATs can be attained through MOPAR so buying parts is as easy as walking into a Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep service center. FIATs will only be sold by trained FIAT "Specialists". So that slob that tried to hawk you a 4x4 a few years back probably wont be selling FIATs or at least FIAT corporate wont allow it. Overcoming the whole "Fix it again tony" crap is down to both the car itself along with the company structure and of course dealers. I love hearing people say oh well they were crap 30 years ago they must be crap now...really? Interesting line of logic or rather...lack there of. People seem to like to form opinions out of thin air. The car must be crap because they were 30 years ago and ya know...how much can change in 30 years? Go drive one go sit in one go see one. You can say whatever you like about it..its ugly its gay its too small fine..just do not tell me it's a bad car. It just isnt.
Great post. Fiats were allegedly POS 30 years ago? Hyundais were POS less than 10 yrs ago and now look at them. My Strada with fuel injection went well over 100K miles with no problems-just maintained it per the book.
I just saw that... Fiat purists just threw up! But, I understand it. The car looks cool and that's what's most important. They should have shown the interior which is one of the coolest things about it. My only issue is it seems like Fiat can't figure out what it's advertising strategy is. It's all over the place. This may be there most effective ad to date though. I can see a it getting a lot of attention and making the car appear "cool". Paying JLo cost them a pretty penny....
I actually see a method to the madness. With a car like this, they really need to get some penetration across many different groups. In some ways, their marketing strategy has mirrored the trim levels of the car itself. They've really been focusing on the enthusiasts and sport trim...the J Lo ad is clearly aimed at buyers that would go with the Lounge.
The ad I never understood was "drive in". Yes, the car is retro but 50's retro and Elvis isn't cool to most 20 somethings who will buy this car.
Stopped by my dealer yesterday. There is a flash update for the early cars. I need to get mine down there at some point. Abarth order book opens up in November for February 2012 delivery. Car to be revealed at the LA show. 170 hp is what he's telling me. No word if they will do a limited edition yet.
170 isn't bad. I'd have to drive one first. My Mini works has 225 but that doesn't bother me. It's more about overall performance than shear numbers. If it can get out of it's own way, I'd be tempted. I like the C.
The jlo ad and Gucci edition show they are trying to make this a girls car. I wonder how they will market Alfa when it comes over? Maybe as a fast family grocery shopper as they did in the 1990's with the 164? Tom Tanner/Ferrari Expo 2012-Chicago March 2012
I wouldn't trust anything a rep says. They are the last to know as management is well aware that reps have the loosest lips in the company. I consider reps to be about equal with "my dealer told me." 135HP is the spec for the Euro Abarth. I believe the difference between the Abarth and Abarth Essesse engines is just tuning and I'm guessing we'll get something between 160HP and 170HP to compete directly with the Mini Cooper S. Unlike Europe, I don't think they'll see the need for an intermediate model. Of course, companies do whatever they want and often change their minds at the last minute. We'll just have to wait until November.
If they follow the conversation here, I'm on the record of not being interested in the Abarth if it only has 135 hp.
I secretly hope we only get the 135HP engine. As I mentioned, I believe the only difference between the Essesse and Abarth is tuning. If we get the 135HP version it will be cheaper to start with
The Euro esseesse kit contains: - 17" Abarth wheels (by OZ) with 205/40 R17 tires - drilled discs - uprated springs - high performance brake pads - retuned ECU - high flow air filter - TPMS (actually it's just those valve caps with a colored disc that shows when the pressure is correct, not "true TPMS") - Koni FSD dampers (only for the esseesse Abarth Koni kit) Also, the Euro Abarth 500 is not Multiair, so I'd expect a higher power output for the US-spec car.
