Look Out Mini, The Fiat 500 May Be Here Sooner Than You Think!

Hot on the heels of the Chrysler Fiat alliance announcement comes word that Chrysler is considering a crash program to fast track the Fiat 500 for sale in the U. S. If Chrysler gives the project the green light, it would be here in "well under 18 months," a source says. Set aside Fiat Group's clinic to determine whether it should bring in the 500 or the Alfa Romeo MiTo, the plan is to get the 500 into Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers as soon as possible as a traffic-builder.

If the Fiat 500 can reach our shores in time for the 2010 calendar year, it will compete with such other small- and green-car showroom draws as the 2011 Ford Fiesta and Chevrolet Volt. Apparently, the 500 would need a new bumper beam and front fascia to meet U.S. offset standards, and not much else. There is cost and time in receiving U.S. certification for any new car or truck to be sold here, so, no, it cannot be done "immediately." I'm told the car would be sold in the U.S. but perhaps not Canada, because Canadian standards are actually slightly tougher. They require front turn-signal lenses to survive a 5 mph bumper test without cracking because they often double as daytime running lights, required north of the 49th parallel.

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Corsis - 1/22/2009 12:49:16 PM

+2 Boost

DO IT!!! Bring over the 500 Abarth SS. And it possibly trade in my Mini Cooper S.

Heck, bring over the Mito as well.

Dutchman - 1/22/2009 6:02:50 PM

+2 Boost

Possibly trade? My friend I would order one the day I knew they were available for purchase. So sweet....

0to60 - 1/22/2009 1:36:03 PM

+1 Boost

looks like a beetle competitor

_43LE - 1/22/2009 2:12:23 PM

0 Boost

Is this also the new Chrysler 500?

Agent009 - 1/22/2009 3:45:20 PM

+2 Boost

interesting thought

veyron1001 - 1/22/2009 4:34:09 PM

+2 Boost

I hope that Fiat just uses Chrysler until they can sell their whole line up in the US and then sell the portion of Chrysler the own them to some rich middle eastern guy or Nissan-Renault. There should be an aftermarket that sells Fiat oem parts to convert it to look like a Fiat.

HighDesert - 1/22/2009 7:40:50 PM

+1 Boost

Wow ... appears some people are having some gender identity issues. Bring on the Abarth 500.

tkindred - 1/23/2009 9:52:37 AM

+1 Boost

Great car! I saw them all over the place in Southern Italy. Even the older body styles are still out in full force there. It is amazing how much smaller the older ones are. Tired of the Mini. Time for the Fiat!

PPower - 1/23/2009 5:21:37 PM

+1 Boost

I think the MiTo would work better. Part of the great thing of the 500 (Chrysler 50 or 100?) is the nastalgia back to the old Fiat 500. Given that the cars will get a Chrysler front appearance, I don't think it will fly. The MiTo seems to have better packaging for practicality and isn't retro of somebody else's car company.

CarCrazedinCali - 1/26/2009 9:28:06 PM

0 Boost

MINI should have nothing to fear with the Fiats or Italian made cars. The 500 is just a bunch of hype. It will most likely fall squarely into the chick car category.

Govnar27 - 1/29/2009 6:59:15 PM

+1 Boost

The United States need to bring these cool little eco cars here, it would do justice for gas... I like the bugga' its pretty cool.