Fiat hikes production of 500 minicar to 200,000 units

[DainBramaged]

Fiat has boosted production of its popular 500 minicar to more than 200,000 units annually in response to increasing European demand for fuel-efficient compacts.

"Capacity for the 500 is now over 200,000 units a year," Fiat group CEO Sergio Marchionne said last week in a conference call with analysts.

Fiat now plans to sell 195,000 units of the popular 500 during 2008.

The Italian carmaker initially planned to sell 120,000 units this year. High demand for fuel-efficient small cars saw Fiat lift the target to 140,000 units earlier this year.

Fiat booked 230,000 dealer orders for the 500 between the car's July 2007 introduction and the end of its June 2008 reporting period, the company said.

The company said it sold 94,000 units in the first half of 2008.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8cYpSPJ_g4


http://www.autonews.com/article/20080729/ANE02/96171930...

http://www.fiat500.com/eng /



This is typical of European offerings. It would be neat having these available here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQgx2fgyuEs

[Ilsa]

1. What a cutie!

Unfortunately, I know people who will complain that the car is too small for them. I know some people whose weight will have this car dragging the asphalt.

I'm in Texas. It looks to me like a third of the population in south Texas is probably overweight if not obese.

[DainBramaged]

2. Watch the videos, it isn't all that small, and the 5th Gear video, the guy is as large as I am.

It is tall and just cool.

[jbane]

3. Fiat had a terrible reputation when they were sold here.

Quality wise they were a far cry from anything Japan was selling. I hope they have improved.
They are all over Europe and that is a pretty neat looking car.

[DainBramaged]

5. That was a LONG time ago (1984), just like some people think of American cars

from the 80's.

[Gold Metal Flake]

4. A new Ford car in similar proportions to the 500 would be nice.

One with style would be great. We are very interested in the Mini Clubman to replace our 1990 Colony Park. Our '07 Focus wagon is such a great car, I have no doubt but that a Mini-like car by Ford would be an excellent appliance. I would like the opportunity to buy from Ford of North America, rather than BMW.

[DainBramaged]

6. Well, I don't think Ford is buying Fiat anytime soon, although

the reverse could come true, what with their stock around $5 a share.

[Gold Metal Flake]

12. Buyouts are not needed.

Accellerated design work with existing components could do the job.

A 1.6 liter version of the Duratec 2.0 (used in the Focus) would make something the size of a 500 or a Mini quite a nice, thrifty and powerful base engine package. We already know the 2.0 is clean running, it being a PZEV for several years now. I believe the 1.6 version has been in use in Europe for some time now. With the 2.0 and 2.3 engines and the current 4 spd auto and 5 & 6 speed transaxles as options, you have a full range of powertrain choices. All you need is some bodywork and a sales campaign. The market is ready for it. Eventually, the turbo diesel engine could be brought over.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Here's the original - The Topolino

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Topolino

[HowHasItComeToThis]

10. AND THAT IS A RED 600 BEHIND IT IN PHOTO

[HowHasItComeToThis]

8. MY FIRST CAR WAS A 1959 FIAT 600

GREAT CAR BUT NOT POWERFUL OR DURABLE ENOUGH FOR A TEEN

[dipsydoodle]

13. I had a friend in 1963

who had a 500 with an Abarth conversion, and a roll back top, which he was convinced could not be rolled. He wilfully did a sharp right hand turn at speed and it rolled 3 times. He climbed out of the sunroof as it lay on its side ....lol.

His other car was a flatty - late '40s Ford V8 Pilot. Lot safer that one.

[madrchsod]

9. i`ve always wanted a fiat abarth

but i had to settle for this






i owned over 20 saab 93-96 models

[DainBramaged]

11. There is a 500 abarth

It's in the link to the Fiat site, 138 hp, Turbocharged!

[madrchsod]

14. here`s a great french car that Chrysler killed ....the simca

my dad and i owned every model of late the 50`s simcas....what a great little car. i learned how to drive in a roadster just like that one in the picture

[DainBramaged]

17. And the Sunbeam's and the Tiger variants

a neighbor owned one in the 60's. It was evil.

[slackmaster]

15. The father of one of my high school buddies owned a Fiat Zagato Abarth

The thing handled AMAZINGLY well.

[dipsydoodle]

16. I'm not too sure

that Abarth who are engine conversion specialists did the bodywork on that. Looks more like Zaggato whatever.

[seemunkee]

18. I had an 850 Coupe

Like this one

[DainBramaged]

19. They were interesting cars back in the day.

I think, if they put an automatic in the 500 (they really would have to here in the NY/NJ metro area, 98% of cars sold are auto) it would be wildly successful JUST because of the looks. Hell, it makes our Chevy Aveo look Foreign.