PREMiERdrum Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 The 2012 Fiat 500 seems to be having trouble gaining sales momentum. Automotive News reports that the Italian hatch is likely to fall well short of its admittedly very ambitious 50,000 unit sales target this year. The model hit the market back in March and has only sold 15,826 units through October. The report also says that of the 150 Fiat dealers in the States, 29 didn't sell a single one last month (presumably at least some of them haven't shifted a vehicle because they were late opening in the first place). Either way, that's a lot of sales people looking longingly out of the show room glass. As a result, Chrysler is now offering a $500 rebate on the vehicle in an effort to entice buyers as the year comes to a close. LINK - Autoblog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 You beat me too it! Yikes! So much for Fiat's ballyhooed return to the USA... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomServo92 Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Yeah, screw the 500. Bring over some Alfa Romeo's and I might be interested. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I wonder which will have sold better in it's first year, the 500 or the Five Hundred. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted November 22, 2011 Author Share Posted November 22, 2011 I wonder which will have sold better in it's first year, the 500 or the Five Hundred. Well, Ford sold 107,932 Five Hundreds in CY2005, and 84,218 in CY2006... :shades: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Unrealistic sales expectations, slow roll-out, and far-too-delayed launch of the higher-performance model. For what Fiat has done, sales have been respectable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 For what Fiat has done, sales have been respectable. Vs What? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovaltine Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 The thing is just too freaking small for the $$$ they want for it. I'm only 6 foot tall, and on the passenger side my head was up in the headliner depression for the sunroof at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Try again, Fiat. I'd MUCH rather go and buy a greatly discounted 200 Touring for approximately the same money - and get a *real* car in the deal, if I was forced to choose. -Ovaltine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 The thing is just too freaking small for the $$$ they want for it. I'm only 6 foot tall, and on the passenger side my head was up in the headliner depression for the sunroof at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Try again, Fiat. I'd MUCH rather go and buy a greatly discounted 200 Touring for approximately the same money - and get a *real* car in the deal, if I was forced to choose. -Ovaltine Come on now, I would imagine the cute Fiat 500 will ultimately become a chick car like the modern VW Beetle has been before latest change. I see that Fiat just fired its latest N.A. marketing manager that was behind the Lopez advertising fiasco. Supposedly, the new manager is much better, especially dealing with dealership problems and hopefully more effective advertising in states. I hope the vehicle turns out to be a chick magnet as they are awfully cute and I also hope Fiat is able to grab a foothold here along with Alfa Romeo. I would even like to see them selling and servicing some Ferraris like the Italia at AR dealerships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTwannabe Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 It would have been smarter to rebadge it as a Dodge (ala the Colt vehicles of the 80's) and use the existing Chrysler dealer network. Then if it becomes popular, bring in the FIAT brand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 It would have been smarter to rebadge it as a Dodge (ala the Colt vehicles of the 80's) and use the existing Chrysler dealer network. Then if it becomes popular, bring in the FIAT brand. Well, they could have still marketed it as a Fiat, but the requirements for separate dealerships errr studios was probably a bit much to start off. Should have just stuck them in existing showrooms next to Dodges and Chryslers for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Well, they could have still marketed it as a Fiat, but the requirements for separate dealerships errr studios was probably a bit much to start off. Should have just stuck them in existing showrooms next to Dodges and Chryslers for now. Marchionne f----d them. He promised them some Alfas by early to mid 2012, and is now saying late 2013 at the earliest. I really feel sorry for the people who put up big bucks for full service exclusive dealerships with huge showrooms and only Fiat 500 for two loooooooong years or more. The Golling Fiat dealerhship on Woodward Avenue in Birmingham, MI is gorgeous and better looking than Porsche/Audi dealership next door. Golling must have at least 10 new 500's sitting in huge showroom with all kinds of add ons to show what the vehicle can do like cycling, camping, skiing, and so on. Another 20 are sitting outside facing Woodward in little side street facing the big boulevard separated by island. I sure hope he sells more than a few/month or he is probably sitting in back room writing threatening letters to Marchionne himself. FYI, there is strong rumor that Fiat North American Headquarters will be in Detroit area. Then Golling can go picket in front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovaltine Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Geez...... I can't believe that Fiat required brand new dealers and facilities to sell just ONE model line! It's hard to believe that there were any takers for a deal like that. I'm sure there was alot of "Gotta get in on the ground floor..." mentality that went into that decision for the new Fiat "dealers". It's going to be a LONG two years, if the 500 is all they've got to push. -Ovaltine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retro-man Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 It would have been smarter to rebadge it as a Dodge (ala the Colt vehicles of the 80's) ........ Shudders involuntarily........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Vs What? Versus a full-line Mini brand and versus many other subcompact hatchbacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Like The Masks says: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HCS9AJ0rEI IMHO, Ford could have imported the sister car, the Ka, and sold more than the 500. But A-size is going to be a hard sell, as long as gas is below $6/gallon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Could be worse the Bob Lutz said the future of GM hinges on the Chevy Volt sales. GM sold 125 Chevy Volts in July at its 3084 Chevy Dealerships, so 2959 of its 3084 Chevy dealers were without a single Chevy Volt sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Could be worse the Bob Lutz said the future of GM hinges on the Chevy Volt sales. GM sold 125 Chevy Volts in July at its 3084 Chevy Dealerships, so 2959 of its 3084 Chevy dealers were without a single Chevy Volt sale. Enough of your off topic garbage. This thread has nothing to do with the Volt. Nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) Enough of your off topic garbage. This thread has nothing to do with the Volt. Nothing. Just pointing out the similarities in statements Nick, at least garbage is 500% more than you ever bring to a topic. 150 Fiat dealers in the States, 29 didn't sell a single one 3084 Chevy Dealerships, 2959 didn't sell a single Chevy Volt Small micro cars are not selling very well in Europe as well, and all their sales are all well down. Eurpoean micro car sales YTD October 1. Fiat Panda 140,285 -22% 2. Fiat 500 122,968 -10% 3. Mini 87,758 -12% 8. Ka 57,898 -26% 1.3 million have hopped on cycles instead just in the UK, so l guess austerity must be biting a bit Nick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi2IAec9Ho Gotta it must be J-lo's fault, she can't act or sing. Edited November 23, 2011 by Ford Jellymoulds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Just pointing out the similarities in statements Nick, at least garbage is 500% more than you ever bring to a topic. Small micro cars are not selling very well in Europe as well, and all their sales are all well down. Eurpoean micro car sales YTD October 1. Fiat Panda 140,285 -22% 2. Fiat 500 122,968 -10% 3. Mini 87,758 -12% 8. Ka 57,898 -26% 1.3 million have hopped on cycles instead just in the UK, so l guess austerity must be biting a bit Nick. :rolleyes: The Volt is not a microcar, so there aren't any similarities whatsoever. You may as well point out that Ford's heavy trucks aren't selling very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 (edited) 1322053583[/url]' post='747364']Versus a full-line Mini brand and versus many other subcompact hatchbacks. Mini didn't offer multiple verisons of its cars till just recently... Anyways...from what I've been able to find...Mini only sold about 15k cars in 2001-02, which was far better auto market then it is now...so expectations of 30k 500 sold is downright stupid!!! http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/21448-how-many-minis-have-been-sold-your-country.html Edited November 24, 2011 by silvrsvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Mini didn't offer multiple verisons of its cars till just recently... Anyways...from what I've been able to find...Mini only sold about 15k cars in 2001-02, which was far better auto market then it is now...so expectations of 30k 500 sold is downright stupid!!! http://www.mini2.com/forum/general-discussion/21448-how-many-minis-have-been-sold-your-country.html Mini didn't launch with multiple bodystyles, but it did launch with more than a base engine. And the expectations were definitely off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Comparing the budget 500 to the premium-market MINI is not particularly apt. Sure, there are "basic" MINIs, but having a turbo option/Cooper "Works" high-performance models means it appeals to a different mind-set. If Sergio had offered an Abarth model with the introduction, maybe things might have been more positive. Problem for FIAT is that gas is below $4/gallon, and that B-size Fiestas and other B-size are just a little bigger, for about the same amount of money. With gas at the price it is, economy is important, but it's not at a price-point where people will down-size that much. My 2¢. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geost1 Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 The thing is just too freaking small for the $$$ they want for it. I'm only 6 foot tall, and on the passenger side my head was up in the headliner depression for the sunroof at this year's Detroit Auto Show. Yeah too little car for too much money. The Mini was able to get away with this sales strategy because it's a sporty little car but the Fiat not so much so. Even Consumer Reports commented on the price in their review: Perhaps Fiat should have stuck a toe in the water before jumping in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Since the Ford Ka and the Fiat 500 share architecture....seems like Ford made the right decision by leaving the Ka in the European Market..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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