500 to 0 in 2 hours: First batch of Fiat 500s sold out
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If Fiat had any concerns about its neo-retro 500 being anything other than a smash hit upon launch, the consumer response to its initial offering should alleviate them. The first 500 cars overall, aptly-named the Opening Edition, were made available on the web between April 18 and April 23. Thousands of requests came flooding in, and according to the automaker, that batch of cars was spoken for within two hours. Trimmed out in bespoke touches by furniture designer Giulio Cappellini, the Open Edition 500s will be delivered to their new owners shortly after the car's official debut on July 4th. We have a feeling that Fiat dealers will have wait lists a mile long once full production starts.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash machado 1:22PM (5/21/2007)
With SMART now planning US sales, perhaps Fiat should try and sell a few of these in the US too.
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Steven 1:28PM (5/21/2007)
If Fiat would have brought this to the US I would have waited for it instead of buying my xA
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Jeff 1:33PM (5/21/2007)
Fiat has made some truly horrible automobiles. Their 80's models made GM cars of the era seem like hand built luxury cars made with the precision of a Swiss watch. Horrible beasts.
I wouldn't touch a Fiat with a ten foot pole.
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The FedEx Man 2:18PM (5/21/2007)
Numero 3. It's alright Jeff it's based on the new Ford Ka so no need to worry.
Shame it's being priced so high - I guess they've seen the success of New Mini and thought they want a piece of that. Over £10K for the base moedel, not really in the spirit of the original...
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Don 2:19PM (5/21/2007)
Yeah, Jeff...you're about 20 years too late to the party. Fiat actually builds great little cars now.
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John 2:32PM (5/21/2007)
The Fiat CEO did recently suggest that they would be selling this car in the US after 2010. Although, he suggested the market needed to shift before then. Probably just waiting to see how cars like the Smart do on the market.
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Dave 2:38PM (5/21/2007)
I'm sure Fiat has come a long way since the 80s.
But it still takes some cojones to buy one of the first of a production run.
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Mike 3:33PM (5/21/2007)
@ Jeff:
you're an idiot.
Bye
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G. Snyder 3:43PM (5/21/2007)
Mike - maybe you are the idiot. The fact of the matter is that Jeff is right about Fiat cars of that time period. Remember, Fiat stood for "Fix it again, Tony!" While it is true that Fiat has come a long way in terms of quality since then, those strides have been made during an absence from the US market. If Fiat were to return to America, it would have to contend with the last memories the marque left here - rusty Spyders and X 1/9s.
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fs 4:06PM (5/21/2007)
@4: actually, the upcoming Ka and 500 are based on a shortened and improved version of the Fiat Panda, which is 100% Fiat (i.e. not Ford nor GM).
And afaik, it's not £10k, but €10k instead, which kind of makes a difference. I'm not saying the 500 is cheap, but £10k for the base model just isn't true. Fiat ain't that suicidal.
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Annie 10:41AM (5/25/2007)
Ohhhh I want one so bad.
Is there anywhere I can look - to see something like an online brochure/prices????
If I had known - or been quick enough I would have pre-ordered.
I fell in live with a 1968 Cinqecento in Genoa! I adore them.
I'd like to see a price/model list. Does anyone know where I can look, as it's too soon for the dealers here in the UK.
Thanks.
Zo 5:10PM (5/21/2007)
#6 -- Fiat has said the issue with coming to the USA is the currency exchange rate and dealership issues.
The Euro's high rate will prevent a lot of cars coming here unless they can charge a premium to offset the exchange rate.
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Mike 5:38PM (5/21/2007)
8. @ Jeff:
you're an idiot.
Bye
Posted at 3:33PM on May 21st 2007 by Mike
Mike; If you are going to insult people I wish you would at least change your signature.
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JM 8:28PM (5/21/2007)
I can't get Topo Gigio out of my mind after seeing this. It's so cute.
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dimitrios 7:52AM (5/22/2007)
Great vehicle looks great and sleek.Cant wait to see one on the road it surely looks better than the smart car.I think it looks as good as the mini and beetles of today FIAT has made awesome rebirth of 500 it will surely be a hit congratulation FIAT for a job well done.NUMERO UNO FIAT.
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Phillip 12:19AM (5/22/2007)
Even though I completely and utterly hate small cars in general (minus the Mini Coopers of all years), I have a strange love for the ol' Fiat 500... Call me crazy, but I like this one too.
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Colin Smith 6:02AM (5/22/2007)
#10.
Thank you.
So many people still seem to believe that the 500 is based on a Ford. It's a Panda. Both will be made in a wholly Fiat-owned factory in Poland, and both will be based on the Fiat Panda - Ford included.
IS THAT CLEAR. I also once believed it was to be built on a slightly reduced Panda platform, but I read lately that the wheelbase is a couple of centimetres longer. Certainly the car will be slightly wider and longer than the Panda in order to offer 5* crash protection and appropriate pedestrian safety. We'll have to wait and see.
I can understand the American confusion because, although Fiat is big worldwide it is hardly known in the US. The 80s are a long time ago: and by the way, FIAT stands for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, and was founded in 1899.
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dimitrios 8:14AM (5/22/2007)
Thats true the ford ka is based on the FIAT PANDA it will also have fiat running gear,i think ford has made a wise decision and the correct one,ford fans will be impressed with new ford ka.
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