Much like the Fiesta, the front and rear bumpers were reworked to conform to US crash standards, and will be built in Mexico.

16-inch wheels are standard, as is the new 1.4 liter MultiAir turbo four.

No word on when we're getting the Abarth performance version.

http://jalopnik.com/5637683/america-...-your-fiat-500

 

Any word on price?

 

It's probably going to be under $20K to start, I don't know by how much.

 

Who will be selling these, a new dealer network or current Chrysler dealers?

 

The plan calls for about 200 Chrysler dealers, give or take, selling them soon-ish (I keep hearing end of 2010).

 

Who in their right mind would pay that much for a super-mini? Especially the one built by Fix It Again Tony?

 

They are a huge seller in the UK, watching a little Top Gear can prove that to anyone.

The problem is consumers expect something different from a car that size in the UK than they do in the US. Getting US consumers to pay more than 15K for something that size is going to be a challenge.

 

True.
Opel/Vauxhall Astra was also a huge seller in Europe, but a big failure in the USA.

 

Quite a few people, actually. Mini has no problem moving units.

 

Mini starts under $19,000 I believe + has a lot better reputation in the USA than Fiat.

And even with that Mini usually sells only ~35,000 units per year.

 

I think everyone forgot about the old Fiats, tbh.

 

I love the look of the 500. I can't wait to see one on the road...or the side of it.

 

It should be released by the end of 2010, then the convertible will follow shortly thereafter. My best guess on the EV and Abarth versions are late 2011.

 

So sad...










Side note: Abarth Abarth Abarth!

 

Dealership cities under consideration:

http://www.500freaks.com/forums/showthread.php?3-Fiat-500-Cities-under-consideration-by-Chrysler-[List]

Yay, there's one near me!

 

Dodge or Fiat, the result will be the same. However, hope this and the other small cars poised to enter the US market do well enough to help remove some of the stigma associated with small cars/hatchbacks.

 

This is really funny. 46 years ago, as an Airman in Europe, with a new wife and baby, our first car was a Fiat 600 (600cc of raw power!!). I cannot believe we are going to bring these cars into this country and made in Mexico. Has anyone looked at the economy lately? Why can they not be built in the U.S.? Thankfully, I did not see South Dakota listed as one of the places being considered.

So, anyone know a good mechanic by the name of Tony?

F=Fix I=it A=Again T=Tony

 

ugly

 

Because south of border they work for $10/hour instead of $50/hour.

They can't be any worse than what Chrysler was making so far.

 

Not to mention people are already complaining about the speculated cost of the car.....