Now that Chrysler has fallen into the Fiat fold, this little car is destined to find its way into U.S. Chrysler dealerships. But will you be able to find a Chrysler dealership?
They're closing something close to 800 Chrysler dealerships across the U.S., so finding one will take a bit of effort, but the plucky little Fiat 500 is coming anyway. First rumored to be sold as a Dodge or Chrysler, the Italian automaker confirmed recently that the 500 will instead be sold as a Fiat in Chrysler dealers.
If you've been around awhile, you may remember when Fiat cars were common on U.S. roadways. Fiats were notoriously unreliable back then, so they took a hard right turn and headed back to Europe 25 years ago. The Fiat 500 will be the first Fiat to be sold in the U.S. since 1984. Obviously, they have improved a lot since, or else they wouldn't be in the buying position they're in today.
But what do you think? Could this tiny little car unseat MINI as the reigning small car champ, or will it merely provide a bit of comic relief for passing U.S. motorists? Or even hike up the sale of MINIs as car buyers have something credible (but not as cool) to compare it to?
Not so fast. We are talking about the 2008 European Car of the Year here, and Fiat specializes in the small - OK, tiny - fuel-efficient market.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Fiat said the 500 should be available in the U.S. by the end of next year, after it is certified for U.S. safety and emissions standards. Fiat-based Chrysler-designed products will be arriving shortly thereafter.
Still... I don't think MINI has much to worry about.
SIGN UP for the Latest Deals on MINI Parts & MINI News!
Please wait while we calculate your shipping cost.....