Chrysler Fesses Up - Fiat 500 Will Probably Miss Sales Goal

Chrysler Group LLC "probably" won't hit its target to sell 50,000 of the new Fiat 500 in North America this year after it took longer to open new stores than previously expected, an executive said.

The company is intensifying 500 marketing efforts, including a planned promotion in Times Square in New York, Laura Soave, head of the Fiat brand under Chrysler, said in an interview.

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mini22 - 8/12/2011 7:16:26 PM

+2 Boost

Eldard-You need to stop with that closet thing. Seriously Fiat was setting it's goals a bit too high for this yr. Considering that it still is about 30 dealerships short it has not done too badly. In reality it how many cars they will have sold in 3/4 of a yr.Figuring they sold roughly 8000 cars in the 2nd quarter 24,000 by the end of the yr is more realistic.

PUGPROUD - 8/12/2011 8:20:09 PM

+1 Boost

Roger Penske predicted low sales...guess his bad experience with SMART car taught him that too small is too small in USA.

irishmike - 8/13/2011 8:44:44 AM

0 Boost

The 500 is an "okay" car. It just doesn't have the cool-factor that Mini established early on, and then there's that uncertainty on the reliability, lackluster performance...

mini22 - 8/13/2011 2:11:15 PM

+1 Boost

For the price it offers somthing a little different. It might not quite perfrom like a Mini but it is not far behind. Also figure that this car will be improved over time.

tkindred - 8/14/2011 8:33:38 PM

+1 Boost

The Mini has lost it's cool factor. I still love the classic Mini though. I see big things for the 500.

Tarzan - 8/15/2011 5:50:08 AM

+2 Boost

bring the turbo engine to the states asap and watch sales skyrocket.

jtz7 - 8/15/2011 3:59:39 PM

-1 Boost

Ain't no one going to say a rip off of the VW Beetle huh? Just uglier and not classy at . What a pos car.

Joe_Limon - 8/15/2011 5:14:56 PM

+3 Boost

Beetle? lol this thing is closer to the Nano then it is the beetle lol.

jtz7 - 8/15/2011 8:51:58 PM

-1 Boost

What? Joe_Limon thinks someone besides Korean is copying? I'm so surprised. And this entire time, I thought the Lancer needed to have a Kia badge on it just so you can see the Lancer.

Joe_Limon - 8/15/2011 9:23:40 PM

+3 Boost

nope, I didn't say copying. I was merely saying your comparison was way out in left field.

Holydude - 8/15/2011 9:57:53 PM

+2 Boost

ugly car.. no wonder it fell short of sales goals...

jtz7 - 8/16/2011 3:39:51 PM

+1 Boost

"nope, I didn't say copying. I was merely saying your comparison was way out in left field."

So in other words the Lancer's backend needs a Korean badge on it for you to see the Lexus IS so it will be in Center field and not left field. If that Fiat had a Kia badge on it VW Beetle would have been said. Same for the Lancer.

fberfle - 9/11/2011 7:00:47 PM

+1 Boost

Well, at least this article is based on fact and is straighforwardly reported, unlike the April post here on the 500. The comments are generally as ignorant as on the previous thread, sadly. What does it make me if only simpletons post comments here? Hmmm....