500L a flop?

Saw one in Jersey on Friday. Didn't it just get released?

 

Just went on sale mid Jun, and in about half a month they sold 541 500Ls in the US which added to all 500 sales allowed Fiat to show a small increase over a year ago June.

Then in July, they sold 962 500Ls.

I've seen one on the road, and still think the 500L will bring in more customers to Fiat...the folks that won't consider a small two door but like a 4 door more in the small SUV category.

Lots of info on Fiat sales numbers at this website: http://www.fiat500usa.com/2013/08/fiat-500-sales-for-july-2013.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Fiat500USA+%28Fiat+500+USA%29

 

I'm digging it. A little like the big Mini.

 

I've seen three in SoFla. Not a bad looking little car. I like the commercial better than the car though!

 

seen a number of them around here......but this is Chrysler/Fiat's backyard
maybe they're company cars
not the most attractive ride currently on the market IMHO...

 

They're starting to pop up around here. The Trekking model is the one to get for sure.

 

Just saw a couple in the Hamptons. I have no idea what numbers Fiat is hoping to get in the US but in Europe it is having a huge success.

 

Too early to call it a flop. FIAT as a brand started rather slowly with its intro into the US and has only gained traction in the last few quarters. I think even with their adverts it will take a while for the 500L to become known to your average consumer.

I enjoy my 500 but the L has no appeal to me. Lots of the other 500 lovers on the 500 forums have purchased the L as a second vehicle or traded in their 500.

 

I think the 500 is a lot more charming...the L is too square and looks too much like a Maxi Cooper but I can see how it will appeal to many.

Plus it's made in Serbia and will probably be better built than the 500s from Mexico.

Here in Montreal, 500s are everywhere and lots of "L"s are now appearing as well but we have a very european way and culture here so the Fiat appeal is more prone to success than a typical US demographic.

 

The 500 is too small to be of any use to me, but the L is something I could consider.
I would expect they will sell a lot more of the Ls

 

As a semi-former Montrealer, I'd concur with your thoughts on the acceptance of the 500L in La Belle but I suspect the L will have a difficult time everywhere else in NA. It is, imho, a homely assemblage of 500 design cues wrapped around a forgettable two box shape. They might drive decently and have an airy, comfortable interior but I doubt these attributes will be enough to move them off the lot. For reasons unknown, the L of reminds me of the seventies when VW attempted to capitalize on the Beetle's endearing qualities by going upscale and offering the 411. Ewww golly...

Unless Chrysler react quickly by offering substantial price reductions, the L will suffer a similar sales fate as the Crossfire.

Fiat sales would have benefitted to a greater degree had they offered the midline 500T as a Cabrio, a glaring omission to their current lineup.

 

I dunno about all that, but I drove one a couple weeks ago and I can't tell you how happy I was in it. Im not a buyer, Im not looking for anything to replace my Abarth. Fiat paid attention to so many things that could easily have gone un noticed, but they did a great job on the 500L. I actually did wish that I was in the market for something in that category because it would be a no-brainer for me.

 

I have seen only one in the wild here on Long Island/ NYC area. I am surprised too given the saturation ads. On one hand I think they are homely, bland at best. On the other, it takes time to get them out on the streets. The 500 has been out for two years, and only in the last 6 months have I started to see several almost daily.

Looks aside, almost all who driven them say they are great.

 

I second that. Drove it just yesterday and was really impressed with build quality, road manners and overall appearance. Apart from looks hard to find anything wrong at that short time with the car.

 

Very true. My wife and I went down to the dealer last week and traded in her 2012 500 "Sport" for the new 500L "Trekking". The only one we could find in the country with the color/options was down in California. Our dealer worked a trade with them for another car on their lot. They shipped that one down on Saturday. He should be in California tomorrow and then will pick up ours and bring it back up.

I was amazed at what a difference in "get up and go" this 500L had over her 500 "Sport". Of course that car only had the 100hp engine. The 500L uses the Abarth 160hp engine.

Car should be up here by Friday (Sept. 20th).

Mike

P.S. Looks like this.
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I've seen one on the road here so far, & I have to say it looked like spatzzatura.

 

From what I understand an Abarth version of it is NOT on the table

 

I think they look horrendous. I've only seen 2.

 

I love the 500. I think the 500L is a mistake. Ugly as sin. The US cares a lot about looks. It won't sell well for that reason alone. I see 500's every day in Seattle. I have not seen a 500L yet.

 

Saw my first 500L today. As was said its basically Fiats version of the larger Mini. I can see it selling well to the upper middle class here in Cali.

 

I love the 500, not so much a fan of the 500L.