Threat from Fiat USA

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 2:42 am

I received a message from Fiat's Social Media group that if I continued to post messages about products for sale that I would be banned from thier Facebook page and all of my posts removed. I'm stunned. I've posted pics of the mods I've completed on older Fiats mostly and a couple of pics of the 500 stuff. I guess they feel threatened by the aftermarket.
I've recommended 3 customers that have purchased 500s and I've been promoting the 500 all over So Cal. As one of the few vendors that have worked to keep the Fiat brand alive during their absence, I'm not sure how to react.

What I don't understand is that Fiat is posting pics on Facebook of modded 500s with comments about how they love the look, etc. Do they think the dealers are doing these mods?

Ernie · Post by **Ernie** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 4:52 am

Damn Yankees.

It must be because you're selling. If someone posted advice to go see Mark for a Fiat this or Fiat that, it would be OK, but some online community folks get real testy when the vendor himself shows up.

I hate to hear you're being bugged 'cause we all know your heart is in the right place, and we Fiat people need the innovation you bring.

We can't expect the new Fiat people to understand what "Fiat" has meant to the rest of us.

Ernie

red107 · Post by **red107** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:47 am

If I read this right, you received a message from fiat social media group. What authority do they hold? They should be embracing what you and others have done over the years to keep fiat alive in the U.S. I would forward their letter to Fiat USA to see what they think. I think once they realize what you and others have done to keep the name alive and basically give them free advertising, they may tell the social media group to back off.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:51 am

Wow, really? That website isn't even a Fiat owned website. If it weren't for people like you and others showing enthusiasm on their site, it wouldn't be as popular as it is today. Are you advertising on their site?

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 10:44 am

no I'm not advertising. It's the Fiat USA Facebook page and I've mostly posted pics of the restorations on other Fiats that we've done. I have posted some pics of the 500 with new products, but only a few posts. What confuses me is that Fiat is posting pics of modded 500s and mentioning how cool they are. Do they think the dealers are doing these mods? I've also been promoting this forum there.

MIGHTY 8 · Post by **MIGHTY 8** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 12:18 pm

Mark,

As time consuming and possibly frustrating as it sounds, I second the recommendation to get this letter/threat forwarded to some proper FIAT "higher-ups."

It pains me to think of some impestous young attorny associated with this "group" who has never heard of FIAT (until recently!) coming after someone as associated with the FIAT brand as you?!

Their interest/motives lay in money....not passion about these cars.

Just my "two cents!"

narfire · Post by **narfire** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 5:57 pm

Hmmm how does one make a "voodoo" doll that looks like a Fiat USA facebook page

Gunsmith · Post by **Gunsmith** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:13 pm

I understand why they send these types of warnings especially in the social media world as there are many undisclosed rules and criteria in their world so it does not sound like the marketing tool it really is and has always been designed for. Clearly someone who gives them money or links in some fashion or another complained. They probably also don't want every schmo who comes up with a bolt on for the Fiat to schlep it on their site in order to look legit. I would try taking a deep breath and responding to their Email with the valid points you have laid out here. Clearly you are a great benefit to the Fiat Brand that they do not realize and if they did would in fact be showcasing you on their site. Your are social media gold my friend! You can't pay for the history and positive light you give the Fiat brand. Many people would still be cursing Fiat's if it were not for you. So Mark take a look at it from their ignorant point of view trying to protect their re-emerged brand and educate them on the positives. If they are smart you will be a regularly featured writer on their site.

Just my observations anyways.

Thanks for all you do Mark.

sptcoupe · Post by **sptcoupe** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 6:39 pm

Very dissappointing if this is indeed FIAT NA's position. I would write directly to Laura Soave and see what she has to say. And please keep us posted.

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:33 pm

Did you catch the comment on the video from the FFO in which the one Fiat 500 owners towed his old Fiat 500 behind his new Fiat 500? Their marketing director stated "I'm probably going to have to void his warranty" and then complimented his classic 500. That's car companies for you (and lawyers).

tonyfromjersey · Post by **tonyfromjersey** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:34 am

The world is run by lawyers and middle managers who have no soul. When they look in the mirror they do not see their reflection.

I know I'll butcher this, but a quote from Colin Powell's autobiography went something like "Anyone in an organization can say no, the real power lies in the person with the ability to say yes to something."

baltobernie · Post by **baltobernie** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 10:30 am

spidernut wrote:Did you catch the comment on the video from the FFO in which the one Fiat 500 owners towed his old Fiat 500 behind his new Fiat 500? Their marketing director stated "I'm probably going to have to void his warranty" and then complimented his classic 500. That's car companies for you (and lawyers).

Laura's comment was definitely in jest

spiderverde · Post by **spiderverde** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 1:27 pm

MIGHTY 8 wrote:Mark,

As time consuming and possibly frustrating as it sounds, I second the recommendation to get this letter/threat forwarded to some proper FIAT "higher-ups."

It pains me to think of some impestous young attorny associated with this "group" who has never heard of FIAT (until recently!) coming after someone as associated with the FIAT brand as you?!

Their interest/motives lay in money....not passion about these cars.

Just my "two cents!"

Mark.... This is BS and bothersome....I agree 100% with above and for the same reasons... get a hold of Laura
of Fiat -NA and please keep us posted .. Without people like you, there would have not been anybody waiting to buy the
new 500, as Fiat would have died in 85
Total BS..

Ray

TX82FIAT · Post by **TX82FIAT** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:14 pm

A little insight. My sister met me in Nashville and joined me at Dinner on Saturday night during FFO. It was nice for our families to spend some time together. She has worked for Chrysler for many years and is deeply involved in parts distrabution for Mopar in the midwest states. She is a big FIAT enthusiast and is changing her Chrysler co car to a 500. As we know the dealerships are still getting thier legs under them from a service and parts perspective. Mopar stocks and sells FIAT 500 parts. However, she could not get any response from a corporate level for Mopar parts involvement at FFO. In fact, she was a little stunned that Mopar had virtually no representation for a group of enthusiast at FFO. She simply got no response on a coporate level.

I think FIAT NA is still working through brand management between front office sales and parts/service on the back end. The profits from a parts and service perspective when managed well can not be ignored. I will be interested to see what happens in the parts area once the brand is re-established and demand is increased. In any event, from a FIAT na perspective I think the parts issue has not really surfaced. It will be interesting to see how they approach parts distrabution. In the end there will always be a place for parts and service providers outside the dealership network. In the interum there may be a few bumps in the road. Hang in there, specialty products and specialized skills will be in demand when the product is selling. We all need more 500's on the road! Customers will gravitate towards service and products that offer value beyond just price point.

Sunracer · Post by **Sunracer** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 8:38 pm

They will not endorse or support anything that is not made by them. Anything aftermarket is a potential warranty problem for them, valid or not. And if your stuff is on their official page, well a claim could be made that they tacitly endorsed the product. A lawyer would no doubt make such a claim, spurious or not. And of course via the Abarth and Mopar brands they will be offering their own competing items. What would you say if they posted their competing items show on cars on an Allison Automotive website? It is clearly a conflict for them. You sell cool stuff and support FIAT, so they might like you but will still view you as a competitor, unfortunately. PB

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