Photo: Fiat
Fiat USA is starting to take the shape of a real automaker, not just a one-trick pony. They’ve expanded the range with the 500L shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday, a minivan with subcompact dimensions that’s powered by a 160 horsepower 1.4-liter engine.
Minivan are one thing, but executives the SUV-style looks of the 500L Trekking will be the real winner. "We think the Trekking version could cover up to 50 percent of 500L sales in the United States compared with about 15 percent we expect in Europe," Fiat brand global head Olivier Francois told Automotive News Europe.
The Trekking isn’t even ready yet to be sold in Europe, as it will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, going on sale in April. However, even the US consumers have a long time to wait, as both the 500L and 500L Trekking will go on sale in July 2013.
"A reference point could be the Mini Countryman, which in the U.S. sells about 20,000 units a year, but we could even double that volume if we find the right positioning," Francois said about the market perspective.
Ambitious, aren’t they?! It does look good, but everything with that Abarth engine has been overpriced, and the 500L will be imported from Europe, not Mexico.
The Trekking isn’t even ready yet to be sold in Europe, as it will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, going on sale in April. However, even the US consumers have a long time to wait, as both the 500L and 500L Trekking will go on sale in July 2013.
"A reference point could be the Mini Countryman, which in the U.S. sells about 20,000 units a year, but we could even double that volume if we find the right positioning," Francois said about the market perspective.
Ambitious, aren’t they?! It does look good, but everything with that Abarth engine has been overpriced, and the 500L will be imported from Europe, not Mexico.
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