Fiat 500 selling poorly in the United States
By Andrew, 11 Apr, 2011. 0 Comments
2012 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione
After engaging in talks about Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne has said that he doubts the initial sales results of the Fiat 500 in the US. Last month, Fiat coincidentally sold 500 units in the US. This figure is expected to raise sales levels, considering that it has 30 dealerships in the US and about 130 are slated to open towards the end of summer. Fiat actually has other plans in the US, aside from the 500 model.
As Fiat failed to establish a deal with the FIOM union that represents the factory, it has suspended a $710 million (EUR490,000,000) investment in the former Bertone plant. This money was meant to be invested in the development of a new Maserati that will take the place of the Quattroporte model, and a medium size car to challenge BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes Benz’s E Klasse.
Meanwhile, the medium size car is expected to make an appearance on the market in Europe in 2012. The Quattroporte replacement is scheduled to go on display in 2013. Bertone officials said that an agreement is expected to be reached in a few days. Marchionne said that he would prefer that the Maserati is built in Italy but that even if the model won’t be built in the Bertone plant, Fiat has a contract at Mirafiori and at Pomigliano that is accepted and has been voted on by most of its employees.
Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione
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