Suggestions for Fiat North America?

[spidernut]

Obviously, Fiat North America knows we're here given the support for the Freakout. In your opinion, what events (such as road rallys, road trips, car shows, etc.) would most likely generate interest in the new Fiat 500 and upcoming models?

[So Cal Mark]

if they intend to succeed in America, they need to reach the general public and not just the aging Fiat community. The 500 needs to become the new peoples' car, then we'll see some niche models which is what we're all waiting for

[narfire]

Hmmm, not sure about an event that might support reliability and price or price and reliability,but I think they would have to perhaps do comparisons to any of the competition in the class they are wanting to break into. The car looks bigger than a smart car(wife uses one at work and says "smart" is the last thing they are) but smaller than a VW bug. Get them to some mid market/city/town car shows perhaps would help. Bottom line, they have to show the benifit of owning a 500 over another like car.

That was great they came to bat the way they did at FFO. Well done

[jimincalif]

A segment of the population doesn't know Fiat, except by its association with Chrysler, which is not particularly helpful. Another segment knows the old "what 'Fiat' stands for" line. They should look at Hyundai's experience in the US. They got a bad rep early on for quality and reliability, they came back with much improved products and a 100K mile warranty.

They need world class build quality, make sure the dealers are properly trained to service them when they do have warranty problems, and back them up with a warranty that makes a serious statement to potential buyers.

[baltobernie]

From what I've seen of the 500 at shows, FFO, Top Gear, etc., it seems like a decent-enough car. Around here, it will compete mostly with the Mini as a cute status item, neither a "real" car, nor an econobox (of which there are plenty of bulletproof, maintenance-free inexpensive offerings).

So how will it fare in the Baltimore/Washington market? The BMW/Mini dealers are in beautiful buildings, with fawning, attentive staff, including "greeters". The Chrysler dealers that survived the purge of "overlap" closures can be broadly characterized as "everything that's wrong with the retail segment of domestic automobile manufacturering". The stupid, inane, screaming TV and print advertising, the Luke and Roy Fuchs salesmen, etc.

This will be Fiat North America's biggest challenge in this century, just as it was Roosevelt Motors' one in the last. The 131 I bought was every bit the equal of the BMW 2002, Volvo 240 etc. The car wasn't the problem, the dealers were.

It is uncertain at this point whether Fiat will require separate facilities a la Toyota Scion, or not. Maybe in the smaller markets they can get away with a partition and different color carpet, but Fiat's long-term success hinges solely on their retail delivery plan. With Scion/Saturn marketing (one-price, limited factory options, unlimited aftermarket options, and unique dealer establishments, they've got a chance, particularly if they can rush some minivans, sport sedans or the like into the showrooms to broaden appeal.

But if they're gonna drop these into our local Chrysler dealer, with "what's it going to take to get you into this Chink-Wa-Chento TODAY!?" they are doomed. No amount of Abarth options, road rallies and Das Auto advertising will save them.

[sptcoupe]

I had the chance to speak to Laura Soaz at FFO, the new Head of Brand for FNA, and she asked what FIAT needed to do to have a successful launch. I told her three things:

First - what Baltobernie said - that if they let a guy selling Magnum pickups try to sell a 500, they were doomed, and that they had to completely change the Chrysler dealership experience, that it was the worst in America today, and that the sales reps had to be well-versed on the car and its strong points and how to position the car with the buyer.

Next was that they absolutely should not make the car bigger, longer, and load it up with options that drive the cost wqeight up, and drop the fuel economy. Wayne Mausbach also really reinforced this point, explaining that this had to be a real value package that would appeal to young buyers (as someone here said, the next generation of buyers), college students and people looking for a second car that was economical to buy and own (me, for instance).

Finally, we pointed out that they should not wait too long to get the Abarth models on the showroom floor, because we thought there would a whole lot of interest from VW and Honda/Toyota/Nssan etc enthusiasts who are looking for a new car to tune and get excited about, and that FIAT would get only one shot at them - which is the first time they walk into a showroom. If they only find the standard model, they may never return and that new customer will be lost forever.

She listened, and we were very encouraged when she said that she had heard the same themes everywhere she has been.

Maybe they'll get it right.

[lanciahf]

1. Create a one make racing series. Televise it on Speed TV. Racing creates instant respect, just mention Lancia Stratos to a European.
2. Sponsor Children Soccer Events, Every kid in America plays Soccer, either voluntary or forced.
Get em while they are young.
3. Make the Abarth version right away, do not wait.
4. Make the spider below for me and for all old time fiat fans.

Fiat Spider News at
http://www.mibz.com/15344-rumor-the-ita ... -2012.html

PS. Roosevelt Motors did a great job it was Fiat NA dealers that turned Fiats name into mud in the US.

[jimincalif]

That spider looks cool, but an automatic transmission?

Back to the topic of suggestions - more Fiat girls of course.

[mdrburchette]

Who wants a sportscar with an automatic?

[Danno]

Who wants a sportscar with an automatic?

LoL. Funny you asked. the answer: "Girls" (the natural type and the type like in my Avatar....)

[mdrburchette]

Huh? I helped "her" adjust her coconuts you know.

[Danno]

Huh? I helped "her" adjust her coconuts you know.

LOL. so you were in a position to prevent this atrocity and you encouraged it? At least "she" didn't adjust YOUR coconuts. that would be going a little far....

[mdrburchette]

My coconuts were fine, thank you. I do thank the Fiat Gods for preventing any of those pictures from surfacing.

[sptcoupe]

You do "nor surfaced - yet!", right?

[ga.spyder]

Apparently, Fiat NA has its own plan for marketing the marque.According to this,they want the Fiats seperate from the Chryslers in 'selected' markets
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/art ... wD9GOLJ680
Although not televised,there is a Abarth racing series already running as a support series in Europe.
Many of the supercars are going to the dual clutch 'automatic' tranny.Most of the new Ferrais,Lambos,etc.. use these with paddle shifters.They even blip the throttles on downshifts!
Denise,pictures will always surface