regeneration Fiat 500e 2024 will come to the United States, Stellantis confirmed this week, though not until the first quarter of 2024.
This is not the first time Fiat has sold the 500e in the US. The previous generation of this model was sold exclusively in California and Oregon—although it has become a favorite among electric vehicle enthusiasts (and enthusiasts of quirky small cars) for its feel. Its fun driver personality, range of fit, and bargain rental prices.
It’s the car that former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has repeatedly called a loss leader for the brand—at around $14,000 per vehicle. “I hope you don’t buy it,” he even said at one point to emphasize the predicament with its compliance car.
With Fiat now under a new corporate entity, Stellantis, and Jeep electric SUV and a Dodge electric car Coming out in the next few years, the 500e has a different role for the company: It will provide an opportunity to test how to sell electric vehicles ahead of higher-stakes models.
New Fiat 500e
“We need to learn about the future of the future electric car business model in the US. So it’s obviously less risky to learn with Fiat, where I don’t really have a lot of pressure on the business. number,” said the Fiat CEO Olivier François to Green Car Reports at the Los Angeles auto show. “We’re going to try everything. And if we can crack the code of what’s next for customer experience, marketing, distribution, ownership model, that’s going to give us a competitive edge.” healthy that we can then share with other corporate brands.”
Based on FrançoisFiat will pursue more than just traditional sales, recommending a subscription approach like for the iPhone or ride sharing services like Free2Move. François says the subscription solution can provide customers with car access anywhere from an hour to a year. “I’d like mile, day, or month pricing,” François speak.
“Maybe sometimes you have a limited number of the most beautiful car you’ve ever seen, and that car you need to buy, no registration required, first come, first served,” François more. “And it’s going to cost a fortune and it’s going to sell out.”
New Fiat 500e
François says that several versions of the vehicle may be offered. It was shown at the LA auto show as a two-door hatchback with special editions curated by lifestyle brands Armani, Bulgari and Kartell. It could also come in the form of a convertible, a four-door hatchback with a suicide rear door on the passenger side, or a performance-oriented Abarth model. François Proposed versions can be provided for six months. An Abarth version of the 500e is expected to be shown next week.
Although the last generation of the 500e was not sold in Europe, its resounding success there provided distinct dynamics this time around. François says the brand won’t offer a 500e discount because each sale in the US will be less than one in Europe.
Right now, the Fiat 500X is the brand’s only vehicle in the US. It will last for its entire life and then disappear. After that, the 500e will be the brand’s only car. “I have a very clear plan to not do anything other than 500,” he said. François.
The 500e again won’t be sold in all 50 states, but this time it won’t be limited to the emitting states of California. Fiat said it will focus sales in select urban centers across the country. The company has yet to say what those cities will be.
with additional reporting from Bengt Halvorson
