Production of Fiat 500L for U.S. market to begin in March

Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them

" Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them
(Srbin, 10 February 2013 20:15) "

Not particularly loyal - Toyota is one of the biggest sellers. As for the Fiat, they've been playing ads on the TV for them for months - as an Italian brand. "The Italians are coming" or something similar. Since Fiat currently owns the largest share of Chrysler, it's practically an American brand, anyway. So there's no reason not to be discouraged about sales here in advance.

Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them
(Srbin, 10 February 2013 20:15)

Not their own brands but the models tailored to American habits / driving style. For instance a Jaguar made in UK but for U.S. market is quite different from the one made for the European market.
The most popular / respected brands in the States are Toyota and Honda - but the Toyota and Honda models sold in the States are different from ones sold in Europe. They are excellent cars in every respect and just can't understand why they aren't sold in Europe. I don't believe Fiat will do great in the States for numerous reasons, Honda / Toyota / Mazda / Nissan are the first four reasons, Kia / Hyundai an other two.

"Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them"
(Srbin, 10 February 2013 20:15)

No fear, be sure Fiat won't advertise the 500L as the successor of the (in)famous Yugo :)

The US will be a tough market for Serbian made cars. The Yugo was not just a flop it was an enormous flop and a the fodder for many a comedien.
When they were first introduced, the price tag was about a third of the typical sub compact car. I stopped by a dealership one day to look because the price seemed too good to be true. I got as far as opening and closing the door and that was the extent of my inspection. Within 2 years of selling you could not find a one still on the road.
That reputation will hamper a lot and the car in order to survive the US market will have to have unparalelled dependability at a very appealing price.

I really hope the 500L to succeed in the U.S. I like its design and utility, but its reliability is up in the air at this point. The current 500 on sale in the U.S. does not have the average reliability compared to its Japanese rivals. I am intrigued by the 7 seaters, though.

(pss, 11 February 2013 15:42)


Although the Yugo was ridiculous and a fodder for US comedians, I can’t recall the US cars manufactures selling their scrap metal outside the US. Your car manufacturers produced gas guzzlers year in year out while the world car market went to 4 cylinders the US ignored the trend to the point where many of your car builders are no longer in business and the best selling cars in the US are foreign made.

As the Japanese worked their way up to the top they were laughed at and made jokes of. When I went to school in the 1960s “made in Japan” meant it was crap.

I believe the 500L is a great looking car. As for reliability, notice how many recalls Fiat and Chrysler have had compared to Toyota, Honda, etc. That's where Toyota is king, in recalls. Today's Fiat is a highly technologically advanced car. One of its smaller engines was chosen as the best engine in the world by engineers meeting in Germany!!Further, the plant in Serbia is run by Fiat, not Yugoslavia. Fiat is a global player. It just happens to be number one in Brazil, the world's fifth biggest country!!

Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them

Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them
(Srbin, 10 February 2013 20:15)

Not their own brands but the models tailored to American habits / driving style. For instance a Jaguar made in UK but for U.S. market is quite different from the one made for the European market.
The most popular / respected brands in the States are Toyota and Honda - but the Toyota and Honda models sold in the States are different from ones sold in Europe. They are excellent cars in every respect and just can't understand why they aren't sold in Europe. I don't believe Fiat will do great in the States for numerous reasons, Honda / Toyota / Mazda / Nissan are the first four reasons, Kia / Hyundai an other two.

" Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them
(Srbin, 10 February 2013 20:15) "

Not particularly loyal - Toyota is one of the biggest sellers. As for the Fiat, they've been playing ads on the TV for them for months - as an Italian brand. "The Italians are coming" or something similar. Since Fiat currently owns the largest share of Chrysler, it's practically an American brand, anyway. So there's no reason not to be discouraged about sales here in advance.

"Don't expect many sales in the US...When it comes to cars, Americans prefer their own brands they are loyal to them"
(Srbin, 10 February 2013 20:15)

No fear, be sure Fiat won't advertise the 500L as the successor of the (in)famous Yugo :)

The US will be a tough market for Serbian made cars. The Yugo was not just a flop it was an enormous flop and a the fodder for many a comedien.
When they were first introduced, the price tag was about a third of the typical sub compact car. I stopped by a dealership one day to look because the price seemed too good to be true. I got as far as opening and closing the door and that was the extent of my inspection. Within 2 years of selling you could not find a one still on the road.
That reputation will hamper a lot and the car in order to survive the US market will have to have unparalelled dependability at a very appealing price.

I really hope the 500L to succeed in the U.S. I like its design and utility, but its reliability is up in the air at this point. The current 500 on sale in the U.S. does not have the average reliability compared to its Japanese rivals. I am intrigued by the 7 seaters, though.

(pss, 11 February 2013 15:42)


Although the Yugo was ridiculous and a fodder for US comedians, I can’t recall the US cars manufactures selling their scrap metal outside the US. Your car manufacturers produced gas guzzlers year in year out while the world car market went to 4 cylinders the US ignored the trend to the point where many of your car builders are no longer in business and the best selling cars in the US are foreign made.

As the Japanese worked their way up to the top they were laughed at and made jokes of. When I went to school in the 1960s “made in Japan” meant it was crap.

I believe the 500L is a great looking car. As for reliability, notice how many recalls Fiat and Chrysler have had compared to Toyota, Honda, etc. That's where Toyota is king, in recalls. Today's Fiat is a highly technologically advanced car. One of its smaller engines was chosen as the best engine in the world by engineers meeting in Germany!!Further, the plant in Serbia is run by Fiat, not Yugoslavia. Fiat is a global player. It just happens to be number one in Brazil, the world's fifth biggest country!!