Suzuki's 2010 Kizashi Will Start under $19,000
Fiat considers sporty Abarth 500 for US

Fiat considers sporty Abarth 500 for US

Viknesh Vijayenthiran June 11th, 2007 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author June 11th, 2007
  • Articles Contributed: 3146
  • Comments Posted: 0
  • Leaderboard Rank: N/A

December 31st, 1969 Fiat’s upcoming 500 minicar may eventually be sold in the US with news that management is considering launching the sporty Abarth model Stateside by the end of the decade. A high-ranking official who spoke with Automotive News Europe revealed that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne hopes to sell the 135hp Abarth 500 in limited numbers to compete with BMW’s popular Mini Cooper but the car might not wear a Fiat badge. The main priority is the re-launch of Alfa Romeo in the US, which is on track for a 2009 debut. The Fiat 500 would arrive a year later. “We cannot exclude that our new 500 would go, in some forms, to the US market, but not in the short term,” Marchionne explained at a recent press event. The new 500 will officially go on sale in Europe next month, with the Abarth 500 expected to cost more than €15,000. At current exchange rates this equates roughly to $20,195, which is well above the $18,700 starting price for the Mini Cooper.
Fiat considers sporty Abarth 500 for US

Fiat considers sporty Abarth 500 for US

Enlarge Photo

Fiat’s upcoming 500 minicar may eventually be sold in the US with news that management is considering launching the sporty Abarth model Stateside by the end of the decade. A high-ranking official who spoke with Automotive News Europe revealed that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne hopes to sell the 135hp Abarth 500 in limited numbers to compete with BMW’s popular Mini Cooper but the car might not wear a Fiat badge.

The main priority is the re-launch of Alfa Romeo in the US, which is on track for a 2009 debut. The Fiat 500 would arrive a year later. “We cannot exclude that our new 500 would go, in some forms, to the US market, but not in the short term,” Marchionne explained at a recent press event.

The new 500 will officially go on sale in Europe next month, with the Abarth 500 expected to cost more than €15,000. At current exchange rates this equates roughly to $20,195, which is well above the $18,700 starting price for the Mini Cooper.

Tags:

Posted in: Fiat, News


Comments (1 total)

Meet the top commenters on the Leaderboard

  1. By FRANCELOS #1, Posted: 6/11/2007

    I think Fiat shouldnīt use itīs own marque in a head to head with Mini.
    Instead they should bring back the "mighty" AUTOBIANCHI ABARTH,
    It used to be the italian "mini cooper", and now it should be directed against it again.
    I see the 500 more as a friendly car than an agressive one.
    FIAT shouldnīt turn it in a schizophrenic one, " Now iīm mean, now iīm sweet!".

Post a Comment

Post anonymously
Sign In |
will stay private
your 'posted by' name will link to the URL

More from MotorAuthority

More from High Gear Media