Nik J Miles

Posts Tagged ‘500’

Anyone who hasn’t been keeping up with auto industry news, or is under 40 years old, might not know that Fiat is back, and it’s a part of Chrysler, or vice versa.

When the Iranian oil crisis ended in the 1980s and people started buying SUVs the small fuel-efficient Fiats fell out of favor and sales of the small Italian cars nearly stopped.  In 1984, Fiat pulled the plug in the U.S.  Then nearly three decades later the U.S. auto industry fell into an economic sinkhole and Chrysler went bankrupt.  Along came Fiat and took over.  As of January 2012, Fiat owns 58.5 percent of Chrysler — in a year or two, Fiat will own it all.  With that beachhead in place Fiat reasoned, America needs small cars again, why not bring back the Fiat, and so they did. Read the rest of this entry »

Anyone purchasing one of the new limited edition “Pink Ribbon” Fiat 500s will be indirectly donating $1,000 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF).  The 250 specially designed models are being produced in partnership with (BCRF); the collaboration allows breast cancer awareness advocates to express their support for the cause in modern iconic Italian style.

Through the partnership, 250 Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon limited-edition vehicles are now available at Fiat Studios.  With the sale of each Pink Ribbon model, FIAT will donate $1,000 to BCRF, with a minimum of $50,000 contribution to BCRF.  Read the rest of this entry »

New York Fashion week September 8 this year will kick off with the introduction of a Gucci limited edition Fiat 500 and 500 Cabrio.

Working with Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in partnership with Fiat’s Centro Stile, the Fiat models are inspired by neo-classic black-and-white film.  The new black-and-white Fiat 500 and 500c by Gucci models are finished in unique eye-catching glossy pearl-glass paint. These two distinct colors complement one another: black with detailing in shiny chrome paired with interiors that contrast sharp black and white for a contemporary and racy attitude. White with satin chrome detailing and ivory and black interiors for a softer, sophisticated look. Read the rest of this entry »

Driving the New Fiat at 500 Smiles Per Hour

San Diego – I am not sure if it was the small size of the car or the inherent lovability that caused my driving partner, Mary, and me to react the way we did.  There we were in a busy parking garage of a major downtown San Diego hotel sitting in the Fiat 500 screaming without provocation.

Once the initial excitement was done, we smiled at each other, drove the little Fiat up the ramp and onto the busy streets headed for a hundred mile drive through the hills east of San Diego. Read the rest of this entry »

“ Fiat returns to North America after long hiatus”

The iconic Fiat 500 has been absent from the North American marketplace for more than 25 years. It’s possible that it disappeared due to dependability issues and the premise that FIAT was an acronym for “Fix It Again Tony”. Whether or not that was a factual contention, Fiat always had a passionate and generous following on our shores – especially the Abarth version, which delivered a higher level of performance.

Read the rest of this entry »

Pricing starts at $15,500

After months of talk about bringing the Fiat 500 to the United States, Chrysler finally pulled the cover off the little car at the 2010 LA Auto Show.

The 500 (Cinquecento), is cute, with its Italian styling, efficient design and innovative technology.

“The Fiat 500 has always been the right car at the right time,” said Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. “The new Fiat 500 now brings something truly unique to one of the fastest growing segments in North America, delivering Italian-by-design function, value and efficiency intelligently tailored for our market.” Read the rest of this entry »

Chrysler Group is starting the process of granting an estimated 200 Fiat dealerships in 125 markets in 41 states.  The process started in July and top dealers will be picked later this summer.  The first Fiat will be the 500 minicar that has received considerable media interest already.  A convertible version is scheduled for 2011 and an electric model and sportier Abarth version should arrive in 2012.