Fiat screwing up their chances in the US

[narfire]

Saw this add for a 500 in the lower mainland. The comments regarding the targeting the 500 as a "chicks" car perhaps is not far off.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/c ... 71220.html

on another note, did see the abarth add on the tube last night. Although it was on a US station the CRTC let it run here.

Chris

[124JOE]

ya thats the GUCCI model

[wachuko]

Well folks... not sure of what I did... since there is no demo car to test drive... there is really no formal order process as the ordering system is not open... But I just gave some of my $$ to the local FIAT Studio (Fields FIAT, Orlando, FL) for a chance to pre-order a car when it becomes available... Nuts if you ask me...

Since nothing could be entered in the system, I just gave Tom Mikl (Sales guy) a list of what I wanted in the car. Now, keep in mind, this will become my daughter's car when she has her permit. That means that we ordered the car based on what she liked...

2012 FIAT 500 Abarth
Color: Rosso
Wheels: 16x6.5-inch Cast Aluminum Grigio with Painted Pockets Standard
Exterior Option: Red Mirror Caps and Black Bodyside Stripe
Interior Option: Leather Trim Black Seats with Rosso Stitching
Interior Option: Power sunroof
Interior Option: Automatic Temperature Control
Interior Option: Security alarm
Interior Option: TomTom® Navigation with BLUE&METM(2)

Something that I was not aware but Tom told me today, is that the 3/36 maintenance program is no longer offered... that sucks

As to the color, I would have gone with Grigio and the 17" wheels... but the girl likes red and the standard wheels (which, looking at them again, I think I do too)...

Anyway, some day, soon I hope, before the dealers disappear again from the USA we will be driving our new FIAT 500 Abarth!

[dinosabella]

I am writing from Montreal and in this province (Quebec) the 500 has been selling very well. I lived in Quebec city for a few years and the 500 is all over the place. The Fiat dealerships are mostly all built or almost built. I went to one dealership and the lady was very helpful. I asked about the Abarth and they too had a deposit system for the first batch to arrive in March.

It only makes sense that a limited production ca,r that is pretty awesome in my humble opinion have a waiting list at first. Give it a few months and there will be demo models to drive.

The staff in the Fiat dealership network is a problem. Aside from the lady who served me I find them to be clueless about the Fiat brand and company.

I applied to work there for a few months while I was a student, I was prepared to work about 6-8 months full time. Now if I'm not the perfect salesman for that product I don't know who would be. I'm Italian/Canadian, my name is Dino, I love fitted suits, I own a Spider, I know every detail about the 500 and the history of Fiat, I speak English, French and Italian and I have 3 years of sales experience. I didn't even get a bloody call back or a "no thank you letter". They preferred to transfer over the dude who a week ago was selling used Dodge Neons in his glued together wrinkled suit.

If a company is trying to sell an image they should stick with it from the architecture, to the salesperson.

just my two cents

Dino

[narfire]

in his glued together wrinkled suit.

Crikey... I thought that was unique to Penticton.
Have to go to Kelowna to get a Fiat 500, nothing at this dealership.

[ga.spyder]

Are the deposits refundable? I would be really curious as to how much each dealer is going to tack onto the 25K list ,because it is a limited edition car.When you pre order,do they give you a firm price?

[wachuko]

Are the deposits refundable? I would be really curious as to how much each dealer is going to tack onto the 25K list ,because it is a limited edition car.When you pre order,do they give you a firm price?

As far as I know, it is not a limited edition... and if the dealer tries to put any additional charges they can take the car and insert it into a body cavity where natural light is not able to reach...

Yes, refundable deposit. And we are a Fields customer so I will fight for discounts of all kinds...

[dantye]

... Looks like another nail in the marketing coffin: A cross between two door cab and a boy racer! Now that's really logical! ... And all they would have needed to do was to show it in ANY different color!

http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/ch ... 0_stinger/

[wachuko]

... Looks like another nail in the marketing coffin: A cross between two door cab and a boy racer! Now that's really logical! ... And all they would have needed to do was to show it in ANY different color!

http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/ch ... 0_stinger/

A 500L is also coming... 23 inches longer than the 500



More info here: http://www.fiat500usa.com/2012/02/detai ... 500+USA%29

What I would like to see is a 500 Sport with a manual transmission AND that two tone leather interior... Basically, the interior of a Lounge in a Sport...

[ga.spyder]

Hmmm...I hadnt heard about the 500L The car doesnt look as stubby as the standard body.Glad to hear that you arent locked into the Abath,Jaime.I just remember when special editions of some cars(Ford GT,etc..) were almost double the list after the"dealer prep and destination charges" Keep us informed how it all goes down,and I hope it works out great for you and the family!!

[AndyS]

the 500L looks like it will be a real slug though. same power plant as the 500, and its got to weigh more. At least needs the turbo moor as an option, but it isn't mentioned as one.

with gas heading up to $5 /gallon, Fiat 500 sales will likely increase.