News

Seattle Fiat dealer, Rairdon Fiat, is excited to report on the latest in Fiat news. People are questioning the Fiat response in the US. However this Seattle Fiat dealer feels differently after seeing the latest pre-sales results.

It is generally believed that Americans don’t have much of an appetite for small cars.  It is also generally believed that, when the Fiat brand left US shores in 1983, the brand’s image was so badly tarnished that a US comeback would be nothing more than an embarrassing (and expensive!) failure.

The good people at Fiat might like to remind you that it’s good to question your beliefs, now and again.

Fiat had high hopes for the 500C in the US – the little compact was to lead the charge for the first American Fiats in nearly 30 years.  For many American carbuyers, the 500C would be their first encounter with the brand, so the car’s success or failure would be critical to the early growth of the brand.

If early indicators can be trusted, Fiat needn’t worry:  all 500 examples of the limited-edition 2011 Fiat 500 Prima are already spoken for.

Laura Stove, the head of Fiat North America, is thrilled by this early success, remarking that ”it’s important that the Fiat enthusiasts and fans are among the first to receive their very own Fiat 500 Prima Edizione vehicles, as they share the same excitement about the brand’s presence in North America.  As we begin to introduce Fiat to North America, our goal is to develop a solid relationship with our customers so they are made to feel as part of the brand.”

Selling out of 500C Primas months before they’re available to be driven is a good start for Fiat as a brand, and (hopefully!) an indiciator that Americans might be finally ready to accept “smaller” European cars with smaller, more fuel-efficient engines.  Whatever the cars, this particular FLU member will be keeping his fingers crossed for a successful Fiat return.

Find out more by calling Rairdon Fiat in Seattle at 877-337-2123 or simply visit www.rairdon.com

As Seattle Fiat dealership of Rairdon Auto Group has previously reported, Rairdon Seattle Fiat dealers will begin selling Fiat cars by December. After a 30-year absence, Seattle Fiat dealerships will only be able to offer one model, the Fiat 500.

Chrysler hopes to sell 50,000 of the stylish, bulb-shaped 500s the first year they arrive. Eventually four versions will be offered, a standard 500, a cloth-top convertible, a high performance version with up to 185 horsepower, and in 2012, an electric version.

Dealers have been asked to build separate showrooms and have separate sales and service staffs for the cars, in order to help create a distinctive European aura for the 500.

Dealers were happy for a chance to sell a competitive small car, because they have had little to offer in the segment.

“There’s no doubt about it. It’s a home run,” said Alan Helfman vice president of River Oaks Chrysler Jeep in Houston. “It’s not going to make it from day one, but it will be a good seller, and it’s a market I don’t play in right now.”

Helfman, whose dealership is near Rice University, said the car will appeal to younger people who care about the environment and fuel economy.

Pricing for the 500 wasn’t announced, but it’s expected to be around $15,000. Sales of minicars make up only about 5 percent of U.S. car sales, but the 500 can draw in customers and lend its European sophistication to Chrysler’s entire lineup.

“Our dealers will be able to interact with a group of individuals that are not part of their current customer base,” said Laura Soave, a former Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG executive who is now head of the Fiat brand in North America.

Rairdon’s WA Fiat dealerships are excited to make new changes to our current Seattle Chrysler dealerships. The sale of the Fiat can not come soon enough. A European flare at Seattle Fiat dealers will add a nice touch. If you have questions about Fiat in America, please call a WA Fiat dealer at 877-337-2123.