Fiat Bringing Tiny Topolino to US

[rmc523]

Fiat's Smallest (And Most Affordable) Car Is Officially Coming to America - Autoblog

 

Fiat is betting that Americans are finally ready for its smallest car yet. The Fiat Topolino, a pint-sized electric city car that’s become a common sight in Europe, is officially coming to the US. The announcement slipped out during Art Week Miami, where Fiat unveiled a one-of-one artist collaboration designed by Romero Britto, but the bigger news came straight from the brand’s CEO.

“The Fiat Topolino, our small, joyful, colorful car that is now everywhere in Europe, has made several appearances in the US over the past year,” said Olivier Francois. “So much so that I’m happy to share that we’ll be bringing the Fiat Topolino to the US, with more details to come next year.”

At a time when mainstream cars are only getting bigger, this thing barely takes up more space than a golf cart. But will it be popular among Americans?

 

 

 

 

 

 

So their small cars don't sell, let's sell something even smaller? 

[Sherminator98]

24 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

Fiat's Smallest (And Most Affordable) Car Is Officially Coming to America - Autoblog

 

Fiat is betting that Americans are finally ready for its smallest car yet. The Fiat Topolino, a pint-sized electric city car that’s become a common sight in Europe, is officially coming to the US. The announcement slipped out during Art Week Miami, where Fiat unveiled a one-of-one artist collaboration designed by Romero Britto, but the bigger news came straight from the brand’s CEO.

“The Fiat Topolino, our small, joyful, colorful car that is now everywhere in Europe, has made several appearances in the US over the past year,” said Olivier Francois. “So much so that I’m happy to share that we’ll be bringing the Fiat Topolino to the US, with more details to come next year.”

At a time when mainstream cars are only getting bigger, this thing barely takes up more space than a golf cart. But will it be popular among Americans?

 

 

 

 

 

 

So their small cars don't sell, let's sell something even smaller? 

aka throw shit at the wall and see what sticks strategy. 

I don’t see people buying smaller/cheaper unless they absolutely have to-they hold on their current vehicles longer till it’s economically unviable to do so. 

[rmc523]

1 hour ago, Sherminator98 said:

aka throw shit at the wall and see what sticks strategy. 

I don’t see people buying smaller/cheaper unless they absolutely have to-they hold on their current vehicles longer till it’s economically unviable to do so. 

 

I saw other articles mention they may target the "golf cart" market....meaning there are areas down here where fancy golf carts are able to drive on the roads, so they're targeting that demographic?  Seems like a tiny slice of the pie to the point of why bother?

 

But I guess nothing else has worked for Fiat in the US, so why not?

[Sherminator98]

12 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

I saw other articles mention they may target the "golf cart" market....meaning there are areas down here where fancy golf carts are able to drive on the roads, so they're targeting that demographic?  Seems like a tiny slice of the pie to the point of why bother?

 

But I guess nothing else has worked for Fiat in the US, so why not?

 

I live near the beach and in the summer time I've seen quite a few of those Moke LSV in the area. But its also a low speed vehicle that doesn't go faster then 25 MPH either. 

[fordmantpw]

I could see a small market with the RV crowd.  It could take the place of the long-gone Smart Car.  People could haul it on the back of their semi pulling a fifth wheel, or it's small enough to fit in a trailer behind a motorhome so you can take other stuff along and still have room for the "car".  Gives you the golf cart size, but with full ability to drive it on the road.

[Sherminator98]

18 hours ago, fordmantpw said:

I could see a small market with the RV crowd.  It could take the place of the long-gone Smart Car.  People could haul it on the back of their semi pulling a fifth wheel, or it's small enough to fit in a trailer behind a motorhome so you can take other stuff along and still have room for the "car".  Gives you the golf cart size, but with full ability to drive it on the road.

 

So they'll sell hundreds of them instead of tens of them lol

 

[T-dubz]

If this was slightly cheaper, it would be a good alternative for the golf carts I see so many people driving in my neighborhood.

[Biker16]

Can Americans learn to love tiny, cheap kei cars?

 

Quote

Sitting in the Oval Office this month, President Trump went on one of his trademark riffs, an aside about vehicles that are popular in Asia but impossible to buy new in the United States.

 

"They have a very small car. It's sort of like the Beetle used to be with the Volkswagen," he said. "They're very small. They're really cute."

 

In Japan, these vehicles are known as kei cars. They are, indeed, very small. They are, indisputably, very cute.

 

"But you're not allowed to build them" in the U.S., Trump went on. "I've authorized the secretary [of transportation] to immediately approve the production of those cars."

That news came in the middle of a press conference about the Trump administration relaxing fuel economy rules — a change that will make it easier for Americans to buy more of the big, fuel-guzzling trucks and SUVs that car buyers love.

Trump's endorsement surprised, delighted and somewhat confused American kei car enthusiasts.

 

It is not actually illegal to build tiny cars for the U.S. auto market. The problem is that kei cars built for foreign countries don't meet U.S. safety standards, so you can't import them unless you're willing to buy an antique. And companies could build tiny cars to U.S. standards, but given the American preference for big vehicles, they simply don't.

 

"If this is going to be a kick in the right direction to maybe get the domestic auto industry to reconsider cars like this," said Andrew Maxon, a kei car owner and the founder of the Capital Kei Car Club, "I'm all for it. I'll take what we can get."

 

[Sherminator98]

1 hour ago, Biker16 said:

Can Americans learn to love tiny, cheap kei cars?

 

They buy Kei pickups because they are used and super cheap at like $5K a pop

Till they start getting into accidents and turn into a beer can when they get smacked into by a minivan with a woman putting her makeup on. 

 

Then it will the corvair all over again. 

[KeithSmith]

On 12/9/2025 at 9:58 PM, rmc523 said:

Fiat's Smallest (And Most Affordable) Car Is Officially Coming to America - Autoblog

 

Fiat is betting that Americans are finally ready for its smallest car yet. The Fiat Topolino, a pint-sized electric city car that’s become a common sight in Europe, is officially coming to the US. The announcement slipped out during Art Week Miami, where Fiat unveiled a one-of-one artist collaboration designed by Romero Britto, but the bigger news came straight from the brand’s CEO.

“The Fiat Topolino, our small, joyful, colorful car that is now everywhere in Europe, has made several appearances in the US over the past year,” said Olivier Francois. “So much so that I’m happy to share that we’ll be bringing the Fiat Topolino to the US, with more details to come next year.”

At a time when mainstream cars are only getting bigger, this thing barely takes up more space than a golf cart. But will it be popular among Americans?

 

 

 

 

 

 

So their small cars don't sell, let's sell something even smaller? 

I don't think anyone will buy it? But yeah, some YouTubers can so that they can use it for their videos. haha

[Motorpsychology]

We had microcars here into the early seventies. Fiat 500Ns and Subaru 360s duking it out with Fleetwood Broughms.

The novelty wore off even in spite of the oil shortage, just as the Smart did and as I predict the Topolino's fate will be: wildly popular for about 10 months then, crickets.

[rmc523]

Well, it's happening:

 

Fiat’s Kei-Shaming 19 MPH Topolino Reaches America For $13,995 | Carscoops

 

Despite all odds, the Fiat Topolino is on American soil and available to shoppers. Importantly, it’s not really a car in the traditional sense. Think of it more as an alternative to a golf cart or an in-neighborhood low-speed vehicle. With a starting price of $13,995 before destination charges, the tiny EV aims to inject a little Italian charm into a market dominated by utilitarian low-speed vehicles. The real question is whether Americans are ready to trade practicality for a dose of la dolce vita.

 

 

 

I still file this under "why bother"?

Edited July 7 by rmc523

[fuzzymoomoo]

1 hour ago, rmc523 said:

Well, it's happening:

 

Fiat’s Kei-Shaming 19 MPH Topolino Reaches America For $13,995 | Carscoops

 

Despite all odds, the Fiat Topolino is on American soil and available to shoppers. Importantly, it’s not really a car in the traditional sense. Think of it more as an alternative to a golf cart or an in-neighborhood low-speed vehicle. With a starting price of $13,995 before destination charges, the tiny EV aims to inject a little Italian charm into a market dominated by utilitarian low-speed vehicles. The real question is whether Americans are ready to trade practicality for a dose of la dolce vita.

 

 

 

I still file this under "why bother"?

Because those dozens they sell will somehow be crucial to the bottom line 

[Texasota]

I think it might break new ground with the  “symmetrical body design”.

That unique feature may bring in a lot of customers. Not sure why mainstream manufacturers have not pursued that. 

[rmc523]

18 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

Because those dozens they sell will somehow be crucial to the bottom line 

 

Well, sales are so low/bad, it actually might become their best seller lol.

[twintornados]

I am sure the gated communities in Florida will be putting this sucker on the map for for sure. 

[fuzzymoomoo]

6 hours ago, twintornados said:

I am sure the gated communities in Florida will be putting this sucker on the map for for sure. 

Honestly, some lakefront communities in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota would probably love it too. 

[fordmantpw]

13 hours ago, fuzzymoomoo said:

Honestly, some lakefront communities in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota would probably love it too. 

 

Yep, golf carts were all over South Haven when we were there last year.

[akirby]

My not small coworker and I rented a fiat 500 in San Francisco just for fun about 13 years ago.  Huge mistake.  Hated it.

[DeluxeStang]

On 12/9/2025 at 11:16 AM, rmc523 said:

 

I saw other articles mention they may target the "golf cart" market....meaning there are areas down here where fancy golf carts are able to drive on the roads, so they're targeting that demographic?  Seems like a tiny slice of the pie to the point of why bother?

 

But I guess nothing else has worked for Fiat in the US, so why not?

I think that's the play. Something that's about the size of a golf cart, but fully enclosed with more features, and playful styling. I don't see it being a huge seller, but it'll definitely appeal to the wealthy crowd in urban areas who want a fun runabout for nearby areas and for things like resorts and golf courses. Not a huge market, but a market. 

 

The market for car adjacent toys seems to be pretty darn lucrative. Side by sides, atvs, e-bikes, golf carts etc. So I don't fault Fiat for trying to get in on that and seeing if it works. 

[Sherminator98]

I live 10-15 minutes from the beach and I see lots of these in the area

 

https://mokeamerica.com/

 

but the issue with Fiat is its too closed up for summer use, unlike the moke. 

[rmc523]

LOL

 

Stellantis Thinks Your 16-Year-Old Wants An 8-HP Abarth | Carscoops

 

Fiat and Abarth CEO Olivier Francois told Autocar the company is developing an Abarth take on the Topolino. He called the idea a “dream” and predicted it would be a “total hit”.

[fuzzymoomoo]

2 hours ago, rmc523 said:

LOL

 

Stellantis Thinks Your 16-Year-Old Wants An 8-HP Abarth | Carscoops

 

Fiat and Abarth CEO Olivier Francois told Autocar the company is developing an Abarth take on the Topolino. He called the idea a “dream” and predicted it would be a “total hit”.

Omg this just keeps getting dumber. No wonder that company is such a clusterf**k