[AlfaGuy]

Does not bode well for Alfa Romeo. Hopefully sales will pick up

1. Fiat 500
It wasn’t meant to be.
When the Fiat 500 made its American debut in 2012, the two-door vehicle and its Italian siblings were billed as the saving grace for an American automaker, Chrysler, that had failed to make compelling small cars on its own.
For Fiat, it was "the car that led the charge back to this country after being out of this market for a long time," said Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Cox Automotive, whose brands include Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader.
But the 500 has fallen short of expectations as Americans grew disinterested in super-small cars. The 500 is going away for the North American market.
The Fiat brand, which is flailing, could follow.
"This could be a harbinger for an entire brand leaving potentially," Acevedo said. "Right now it’s such a challenging climate for small cars."

 

[Giuliano]

I do not think this car had any chance in the NA market. It's not a surprise, to me.

 

[Chymerix]

Same. 90% of the cars on the road are SUVs or pickups. I notice them way more now that I try to avoid trailing too close behind such vehicles to prevent rock chips - it’s nearly impossible!

 

[Tazio!1901]

It is sad. Had a 500c and it was delightful. Never any time in the shop and really fun to drive. Had a great retro look with verde Chiara paint and marrone interior. My wife’s 500X has proven to be reliable but not half as engaging as the 500c

 

[Crosshairs]

Americans dont want small cars..this is not a secret to anyone who drives on the roads around here ..Trucks and SUV/CUVs are everywhere ..followed by sport cars and sedans...small cars.???..very few out there

 

[-ds-]

The thing to keep in mind is the price of gas and the eco/political climate of the time.

In 2012 global economy sucked, the US was dependent on foreign energy and the price of gas was climbing weekly and through $3, $4 & and some location $5 & $6 a gallon. We where being told that gas prices where going to double from there in the next couple years. I remember watching Fiat 500's fly off the dealer lot at Stateline Fiat on the NC/SC boarder.

As we enter 2020 the US economy is booming, the US is not only energy independent but has become and energy exporter & the average price of gas is ~$2.70 / gallon. Trucks, SUV's and Crossovers are flying off the dealer lots. The bigger the better.

Americans have never accepted small cars.

 

[Emozine]

Does not bode well for Alfa Romeo. Hopefully sales will pick up

1. Fiat 500
It wasn’t meant to be.
When the Fiat 500 made its American debut in 2012, the two-door vehicle and its Italian siblings were billed as the saving grace for an American automaker, Chrysler, that had failed to make compelling small cars on its own.
For Fiat, it was "the car that led the charge back to this country after being out of this market for a long time," said Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Cox Automotive, whose brands include Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader.
But the 500 has fallen short of expectations as Americans grew disinterested in super-small cars. The 500 is going away for the North American market.
The Fiat brand, which is flailing, could follow.
"This could be a harbinger for an entire brand leaving potentially," Acevedo said. "Right now it’s such a challenging climate for small cars."

After 37 years of driving old Fiats and Alfas, the first brand new car I ever bought was a 2012 Abarth. I sold my 1988 Milano Verde to purchase it. I proceeded to add the Monza exhaust, short shifter, lowered it, and plugged in the Marelli ECU box, ~200HP. That was my daily driver and weekend track car and never missed a beat. That car was a hoot. I sold it when I purchased my 2018 Quattroformaggio. I gotta say I miss that car . The Quattroformaggio is awesome, but commuting in it as my daily is significantly less fun. I could rip through a couple of gears in the Abarth and put a huge smile on my face after every backfire between shifts and not risk getting arrested. In the Quattroformaggio I pull third gear and it's jail time, so I commute in grandma mode to work every day (my kids say 'A' stands for 'Abuelita', which is grandma in Spanish), no point in doing anything else. I may as well be commuting in a Toyota Camry, except I wouldn't look as cool or have every guy in an M3 try to race me.

I'll tell you guys what Fiat 500 is the one to get: the 500e. Yeah, the e. I leased one for three years and found it to be as much of a hoot as the Abarth from 0-45 mph, the only thing missing was the soundtrack. Put Abarth wheels and tires on a 500e and you can have fun with stealth.

Don't shed a tear for me, though. I have a Fiat X1/9 and 850 Coupe that I can still rip through some gears at full throttle and not get arrested.

 

[Vesparider]

Just to be clear, only the smaller version of the Fiat is leaving the market. It's not the entire Fiat line and to be fair, it has been plagued with poor sales, poor quality, and no advertising. Fiat has not made any headway here and it makes sense to realign their strategy for this market. There's not a lot of demand for tiny cars. Smart left as well. Toyota killed the Scion line. The IQ is only available in some markets. We like our cars big here.

 

[SirRog]

All that being said, there still seems to be a huge following in the Minis, and they even hold rallies in different towns and cities. I don't know if that car will go to the wayside as well over time, perhaps we'll see.

 

[Alfa-Male]

Had a Cooper S which is essentially the same thing - it seemed a bit silly to own for where I am. These cars are meant for city centers like London, Milan, LA, or Manhattan. Why pay 20K USD when parking isn't an issue and you can have a midsize SUV with AWD and more space?

 

[Il_Conte]

Same. 90% of the cars on the road are SUVs or pickups. I notice them way more now that I try to avoid trailing too close behind such vehicles to prevent rock chips - it’s nearly impossible!

Plus you can't see shit behind them. I overtake as soon as possible

 

[lockem]

Same. 90% of the cars on the road are SUVs or pickups. I notice them way more now that I try to avoid trailing too close behind such vehicles to prevent rock chips - it’s nearly impossible!

Looking into the company parking lot in Silicon Valley I see about 50% sedans, coupes and sports cars. However, those sedans and coupes are mostly mid and full size, not subcompact.

I do not see the "original" size Minis much, although the much larger "clubman" size is spotted a lot.

 

[SirRog]

I do not see the "original" size Minis much, although the much larger "clubman" size is spotted a lot.

You're right ! Nowadays, that's the one I see mostly as well.

 

[Giuliano]

After 37 years of driving old Fiats and Alfas, the first brand new car I ever bought was a 2012 Abarth. I sold my 1988 Milano Verde to purchase it. I proceeded to add the Monza exhaust, short shifter, lowered it, and plugged in the Marelli ECU box, ~200HP. That was my daily driver and weekend track car and never missed a beat. That car was a hoot. I sold it when I purchased my 2018 Quattroformaggio. I gotta say I miss that car . The Quattroformaggio is awesome, but commuting in it as my daily is significantly less fun. I could rip through a couple of gears in the Abarth and put a huge smile on my face after every backfire between shifts and not risk getting arrested. In the Quattroformaggio I pull third gear and it's jail time, so I commute in grandma mode to work every day (my kids say 'A' stands for 'Abuelita', which is grandma in Spanish), no point in doing anything else. I may as well be commuting in a Toyota Camry, except I wouldn't look as cool or have every guy in an M3 try to race me.

I'll tell you guys what Fiat 500 is the one to get: the 500e. Yeah, the e. I leased one for three years and found it to be as much of a hoot as the Abarth from 0-45 mph, the only thing missing was the soundtrack. Put Abarth wheels and tires on a 500e and you can have fun with stealth.

Don't shed a tear for me, though. I have a Fiat X1/9 and 850 Coupe that I can still rip through some gears at full throttle and not get arrested.

View attachment 93515

@Emozine, what about this 850 Abarth my uncle owns, there in Italy. A 1962 masterpiece !!!!!

 

[Papa Gallo]

not even with a complimentary authentic Italian family with every 500 ??

Americano? errrgghh ...

espresso ? si si si LOL

 

[Ciao rr]

Does not bode well for Alfa Romeo. Hopefully sales will pick up

1. Fiat 500
It wasn’t meant to be.
When the Fiat 500 made its American debut in 2012, the two-door vehicle and its Italian siblings were billed as the saving grace for an American automaker, Chrysler, that had failed to make compelling small cars on its own.
For Fiat, it was "the car that led the charge back to this country after being out of this market for a long time," said Karl Brauer, executive publisher of Cox Automotive, whose brands include Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader.
But the 500 has fallen short of expectations as Americans grew disinterested in super-small cars. The 500 is going away for the North American market.
The Fiat brand, which is flailing, could follow.
"This could be a harbinger for an entire brand leaving potentially," Acevedo said. "Right now it’s such a challenging climate for small cars."

I loved my 2012 Prima Edizione #239. I still miss it. Not a single issue. I went looking for it a year ago. I found it...it was totaled. Now on the quest to look for another Prima.

Ciao,
Ray

 

[zvezdah1]

I loved my 2012 Prima Edizione #239. I still miss it. Not a single issue. I went looking for it a year ago. I found it...it was totaled. Now on the quest to look for another Prima.

Ciao,
Ray

I had a 500 abarth and it was an absolute blast, no problems either

 

[lgbalfa]

Even though I never owned one, I loved the Fiat 500.

Too bad it will now be discontinued.

Thanks

 

[kshitishsoman]

I am an immigrant. A legal one. I passed the citizenship exams with flying colors. Well that was off topic. Okay, but my point is, when I was new to this country, I was considered overweight in my home country and below average in America. Now I'm very American in my girth and mass and weight. So, I don't fit in the 500, or barely do. You get the point? Goddamn awesome Italian pizzerias in the tri-state area. That's another thing I have adsorbed. Blame others. Never self. Sue 'em all!

 

[RustyTi]

Five years and zero issues with my modified Abarth and it was the kind of car that would have you drive 30 miles outside of town for a half gallon of milk. Sad to see the little fire breathers go. As others have chimed in, it's much more fun driving a slower car fast than a fast car slow. My wife and I miss it though she absolutely loves my Giulia Ti.