Fiat 500 US Market

Nope, advertising a conditional discount without indicating it as such is false advertising. Sadly, pretty typical stuff for a car dealer.

 

Autonews.com claims the USA Abarth will initially come with 160hp

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111031/OEM04/111039995/1306


I wouldn't be surprised if they offer an SS kit.

 

I'm liking this Abarth

 

What they need to make is a version of the R5 Turbo 2 with a twin turbo Alfa Twin cam V-6 in the back bringing 500 hp.

Now, that would be cool.
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I would tell the dealer you want this advertised price and if they refuse, tell them that you're contacting Fiat USA and the BBB.

You'll get the deal.

 

yes, it would

 

Andrew,

I bought mine at Bettenhausen in Tinley Park and they were really great to work with. I'm not sure how far they are from you, but when I stopped by yesterday, they had a pretty sweet red Pop with Ivory interior accents for $13,999.

If you happen by there, tell them Nick R. sent ya. They are offering some sweet referral cash for new owners who steer new buyers their way. Regardless of that, they really are an entirely decent dealership and I can't say enough good things about the 500 itself.

Regards,
Nick

 

Not looking good.....All Chrysler products are showing sales growth except for Fiat.

According to www.italiaspeed.com, Fiat sold 1,965 units last month, compared to 2,800 the month before.

 

Not to worry

http://www.fiat500usa.com/2011/09/fiat-500-records-its-largest-sales.html

Fiat – 1965 vehicles

Fiat continues to chug along with the 500 supermini. So far this year a total of 15,826 500 hatchbacks and convertibles have been sold, with 1965 of them in October of 2011. Fiat’s distribution network has been hampered this year by a slow roll-out of the new Fiat Studios (dealerships) and some initial stumbling with its marketing effort. Next year, Fiat should see a jump in sales thanks to the addition of two new models: the hotter 500 Abarth and the eco-chic 500 Electirc.


Read more: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/chrysler%e2%80%99s-october-sales-growth-led-by-jeep-compass-chrysler-200-dodge-durango-84945.html#ixzz1cTtWyp2F

 

Off topic, but you owned a 1995 (!) MR2 Turbo? Rare car!

 

Speriamo.......The Abarth will definitely help and I hope they bring over the Abarth convertible.

Oh and ditch JLO........remind people about the 500 history.

 

I'd be interested even if it only had 400 hp

 

I just saw a Fiat 500 running around the South Bay of LA with Michigan manufacturer plates. The car had stickers on it "EV". EV usually means some kind of green or hybrid or electric.

I thought at first it might be an Abarth so I got up close to it. It wasn't. But, it makes me suspicious about the EV stickers.

It's a mystery!

 

I see JLO --- I think "chick car". Bad move IMO. Then again, not having the Abarth for the launch was another bad move. Mini introduced the S at the same time as the Cooper. You would have thought Fiat could have understood how important it would be to reach out to males and enthusiasts in the beginning.

But Noooooooooooooooooooo!

 

Italians do things backwards........I know.......I'm an Italian myself.

I honestly believed they wanted the normal 500 to appeal to women and trendy people, while the Abarth will have some sort of Macho Marketing campaign.

JLO......what were they thinking lol

 

My son is a college student but works for our local Fiat dealer.... umm..."Studio" on the weekends.

He sells the cars, and his observations:

1) The J Lo ad brought in customers
2) People want AWD

 

1. Not surprising. The small car market is very much an awareness game.

2. I wonder if this is a case of people saying they want something but if it were actually provided, not buying it.

 

I think the AWD is because it is so small they think AWD adds stability. In my exprience 99% of the time AWD is not needed; only winter tires are. I base that on driving a RWD car on 100 mile commutes in NY/NJ.

 

http://www.fiatusa.com/abarth/


About damn time.

 

A little present for your Abarth once you get it.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUFklKcpGpA[/ame]

 

1) It brought in WOMEN customers
2) That doesn't make sense (unless it's in a poor climate) because most cars are not AWD. Mini isn't and I would think that would be it's biggest competitor, along with Scion, Kia, and the Honda Civic.

 

Thank you! Very kind of you! Tell you what - get this for me, and I'll cover your shipping cost!

 

Looks like they are getting this right

 

Nice, seems like they got the marketing (i.e. site design) moving in the right direction too.

The Cavallino Rampante is my favorite badge but I must admit the Abrath's is probably the "coolest" I've ever seen.

I like these detail shots...
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^^^ I seriously hate the ultra cheesy Photoshopped lens flare in the last picture but the second gets my blood going. Certainly looks racy!