According to Ward’s Auto, the 10 franchised dealers in the land of cowboys and livestock with big horns have made the Lone Star State the second market for the 500, bested only by eco-minded California and tied with New York and Florida.
Fiat’s US boss, Laura Soave, says a number of of green and tech-industry workers, suburban customers and the 4th biggest metropolitan center in the country in Houston have all added to make the 500 a success in Texas.
Fiat dealers are also reportedly ordering up a lot of 500s in manual guise. According to Ward’s, 70 percent of cars arriving on lots come with a third pedal and a stick shifter. Only time will tell if filling dealers’ lots with cars that require your left foot to drive is the right thing to do.
We’ll remind you that the latest edition to the 500 US-market range is the convertible version, which is priced starting from $20,000, some $4,000 more expensive than the regular 500 currently on the market.
On the US market, the 500 cabrio will be offered with the same engine as the regular version, namely a 1.4-liter four-cylinder MultiAir. The carmaker is selling it with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty package, roadside assistance included and a 3-year/36,000 mile maintenance package.
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