Fiat 500 US Market

L.A. car show is November 18th-27th. The Abarth will be introduced at the show to the U.S. market, according to the announcement made by FIAT U.S. at this July's Fiat Freakout.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=mJPCAEkcyqg

I give it high marks.
Why?
1) J Lo. Hot/hit
2) Excellent quality filming
3) Juxtaposition of the gritty Bronx with the cutesy car. Like a payday candy bar...a little salt cuts the sweetness.

So we have the car getting instant recognition and being associated with a star those who might buy it can associate with.

As for guys who now won't buy it because it is now branded a "chick" car, they can use the money they save and buy a set of balls.

 

Best post I've read in 6 months!

Since when are chicks adv cars so disdained? This has been going on for decades...

 

Yes I have a down payment on one, but no details available yet down here.

 

Just came back from Italy. I want the abarth and the alfa giulietta.

 

Mini branded itself as "cool, hip, and youthful". Fiat seems to be going after "girls".

In the long run, this is a losing strategy as it cuts off half the market. By not having the Abarth at the same time as the car's launch, it's just sealing into people's minds that this is another VW bug.

Maybe Alfa Romeo will be targeted at alpha males.

 

Yesterday, a very generous friend allowed me to drive his two Ferraris. A 355 and 550, back to back. Prior to this, the only f car I spent real time in was my old Mondial. Of course, the 355 and 550 were awesome. BUT, I must say getting back in my Fiat 500, I still enjoyed it. Sure the F cars are hoary and powerful and fun, but the 500 is fun in a different way. Light and tossable and comfortable. Also, people stare at the f cars the way they might if a lion was on parade. They look at the 500 like they would a cute puppy. That's what the people who say "Oh the 500 is not that fast, that big, not the best MPG, etc" don't get. A car is not what the numbers say, it's what you feel when you drive it.

Oh and BTW, the friend with the f cars wants to add a 500 to his stable

 

The 500 is a true classic. People think modern Fiat's are still made like they were in the 70's. How times have changed!

On my part, I've convinced three friends to buy one. Fiat should be giving me one for free!

 

These are cute cars, and as most agree they should have brought in the Abarth at the U.S. launch right away. I hope it does not hurt the alpha male market by marketing to women for the first year. FIAT also needs to bring the Alfa Giulietta to N.A. as it is right now. I don't think the "new" revised Giulietta that they seem to want to wait for will set the world on fire. FIAT needs to bring on the Alfa's already(bring in the hottest versions of the Giulietta and Mito now). Then in 2 years bring in the ugly looks Japanese Alfa 4C sportscar.

Tom Tanner/Ferrari Expo 2012-Chicago March 2012

 

Fiat will most likely get Marc Anthony to market the Abarth.

...... just as Kohls did for clothing fashion lines.

JD

 

I just saw an Alfa Guilietta on the streets of Hong Kong yesterday in dark silver and I can say: This car is BEAUTIFUL. It's way more attractive than the pics.

If they sold this in the USA, I'd buy one immediately. This car is ALL MALE! They have one 1.7 turbo version with 235 HP. Now we are talking.

http://www.alfagiulietta.com/giulietta/com/index.html

http://www.alfaromeo.com/com/#/models/giulietta

 

Unfortunately, it seems the Giulietta will be never imported in USA.
The cars had to receive same minor updates to be sellable so I don’t understand why Fiat management did not decide yet to move on this direction.
Probably they are a bit scared.
While the 500 Europe is a very reliable car (based mainly on Panda platform, also Ford asked to Fiat to produce the ‘Ka’ on the same platform and in the same Polish plant) and the step forward to a 500 USA version was very natural, the Giulietta still has to show its potential above all in strategic market as the German is.
I actually own a 2011 Giulietta with the 170 hp 1.4 Turbo Multiair version that In 2010 won the prestigious Engine of the Year award in the Best New Engine of the Year category

http://www.ukipme.com/engineoftheyear/winners_10/bestnew.html

The 1750 version of the green cloverleaf have 235 HP and has Multiair technology too.
Enjoy Autozine website car description, including the D.N.A. manettino device controlling car’s electronic (from Front Electronic differential to pre-filled brake as in the 458 italia)

http://www.autozine.org/Archive/Alfa/new/Giulietta.html

 

Bob, yes the Giulietta is a great looking car, I would love to have one. I'm actually considering starting to save up now before Alfa gets here in 2013.

From what I've seen this car might make it here, and that 1750 tbi motor sounds pretty great. The Giulietta QV is a handsome and refined hatch, perfect if you don't plan on slinging it around like Loeb does with his hatches, but otherwise a great performance hatch with luxury, style, and speed

 

Just found this:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259396/

Impressive, I'm starting to drool

(we may need to start a new thread if there is any more interest in Alfa US)

 

Is that yours Luque? Is it the Multi Air? Looks great in red

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/18/tiny-fiat-500-earns-iihs-top-safety-pick-w-video/

It will be interesting to see if insurance companies price the premium differently for pre-August 500s.

Question: How do the early buyers feel?

If I was one, I think I'd want Fiat to issue a recall and update the "seat structure" on all of the sold units. That, a recall for a safety issue isn't exactly great PR for a brand that needs all the help it can get...but more reason to keep the early adopters happy!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaxdJjW-v1o[/ame]
^

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rxgxY9awWY[/ame]
^

 

Wish Alfa would start selling in the USA LOL looks like some of the Video's were shot in the southwest.

 

You'll be able to...sort of...it'll be Americanized into the Dodge Hornet: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=338599
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Maybe Alfa will have their own version

 

Those romantic Italians. Lookee what all us owners are getting in the mail. Envelope and car illustration match my actual car.
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Yes it is.
Should we have to open a specific thread about Alfa Romeo ?

Luque

 

Good news: http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/18/autos/fiat_500_top_safety_pick/index.htm

Fiat 500 earns 'Top Safety Pick' award

 

Yeah, but with a "caveat", see this post above.

 

Hmmm.

Mine doesn't match my car...anymore..