The Little Car The Could - How Long Until The Fiat 500 Outsells All Of Mini?

It is hard to believe it but figures do not lie. The Fiat 500 is quickly proving to be the little car that could for Chrysler. Selling an amazing 4176 units last month up 51% this diminutive little beast seems to be popping up almost everywhere. Chrysler seems to have little problem selling this car, and the higher end models are always in demand by enthusiasts.

So you don't think anyone has anything to worry about only 4176 units in a month? Think again. Everyone's favorite micro brand, Mini might need to start looking over its shoulder sooner rather than later. Mini sold only 4899 units last month and sales are increasing at half the rate or the 500.

So just how long until the Fiat 500 overtakes Mini?

A little food for though before you make your prediction:

Mini YTD sales are at 48,531 up 16% for the year

Fiat YTD sales are at 32,742 up 136% for the year.

M5twinturbo - 10/2/2012 2:13:50 PM

+2 Boost

Doesn’t the Fiat start at $15K, and the Mini cooper starts at 20K (with all models starting in the mid $20K and low $30K range)...also the current mini is being replaced next year...food for thought.

Agent009 - 10/2/2012 2:30:26 PM

-1 Boost

Price point is everything when you are in the same segment.

vdiv - 10/2/2012 4:04:40 PM

-2 Boost

That would mean the Acura TSX, or the Infiniti G, or the Lexus IS, or even the Audi A4/5 should outsell the 3 series hands down. They don't.

CarCrazedinCali - 10/2/2012 9:15:34 PM

0 Boost

I found the Fiat to be cheap, but then again it is cheap... Depends on what you want and your standards I suppose... I also heard it had 3 star crash rating, not worthy of anyone to drive if that's true. MINIs are way more fun, attractive and trustworthy when it comes to an accident imo.

mini22 - 10/3/2012 2:53:10 PM

-4 Boost

CarCraziedinCali-Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I find this second generation of the modern Mini to be less attractive than my 06 Cooper S. Further I think the Fiat Abarth is more attractive as well. Regarding the 3 star crash rating I would say that ALL small cars are less safe than larger cars. If you get hit by a large SUV or pickup or a midsize car perhaps while driving a small class A subcompact your risk of injury goes up dramatically over a larger vehicle. If you own a small car like this you assume the risk. As for quality I would agree with you that the Mini has slightly better interior quality. Then again you are paying an average of 4 to 5 grand more for a Mini than you do for a Fiat 500. As for the Mini being more fun that again is subjective.Neither the Mini or Fiat are about rationality. Both interiors are ergonomic messes. A Fiat 500 has a nicer sounding engine than a base Mini Cooper. The Abarth also has a much nicer sounding engine. The Mini has a little bit better handling but a poorer ride. The Fiat has a little bit more room in the back and more cargo space. The fact is that the Fiat is less costly to buy and so far has held up reasonably well in terms of reliability. The second generation new Mini has had more reliability problems than the first generation for some reason.Bottom line both cars are fun. Fiats marketing right now in the America is a little bit better than Mini's.The Mini costs more as well. Fiat has followed a similar formula as Mini. Perhaps it is catching up in sales due to these factors.

CarCrazedinCali - 10/4/2012 5:05:00 PM

+1 Boost

I liked my R53 better than the current R56 as well. I still find the Fiat pretty girly and that is indeed a matter of opinion. Crash ratings of MINIs are 5 stars not 3 stars so even though they are small, they are not unsafe like I fear the Fiat is with it's low crash ratings. I have seen lots of photos from severe accidents involving the MINI versus much larger vehicles where the occupants have fared well. You get what you pay for, and the cheaper car cannot be as well built. Just look at the door handle of a Fiat, feels like garbage... The next gen.