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Fiat Loses $14k For Every 500e Sold

At least that's what Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne says so. The automotive group's godfather kind of predicted this since three years ago, when he declared to the media that his company would lose $10k for every 500e sold.
2014 Fiat 500e 1 photo
Photo: Fiat
Marchionne bluntly declared yesterday morning during a press conference: "If you are considering buying a 500e, I hope you don't buy it, because every time I sell one it costs me $14,000."

Let's clear some things up, Sergio. It's not you that sells these cars, but car salesmen working in Fiat dealerships and it's not you that loses $14,000 with each purchase, but the company that pays you for doing CEO duties, not for offbeat remarks such as the aforementioned.

Also, why did the numero uno of the FCA gave the green light for selling these cars? Maybe Fiat wanted to show the world that it is making steady progress with green technologies, but it was a bad decision to actually put the 500e on sale. Why?

First of all, it has its fair share of faults. 270 units of the $32,000 electric vehicle were recalled last year over a possible half shaft separation, with an extra 4,141 units called back this month for defective power inverter modules. Secondly, if Fiat knew it would lose money by marketing the small EV, why did it go ahead with it at a time when group brands Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Chrysler are going through a hard time selling their own cars?

Last but not least, the Italian manufacturer had to go to great lengths to transfer its ecofriendly tech into production form, but the 500e is sold in very few numbers only in the state of California. Please (don't) excuse our passionate rant, but these things had to be said.

As for the Fiat 500e, the pure electric drive city dweller is powered by a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that provides juice to an electric motor that churns out 83 kW (111 horsepower) and 147 lb-ft (200 Nm). According to the manufacturer, that's enough for a top speed of 85 mph (137 km/h) and a theoretical range of 87 miles (140 km) on a full charge. Mind you, the manic Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati has a much better range than that, looks to die for and it's loads more fun both in a straight line and thru corners.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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