Tim Kuniskis, head of FIAT Brand North America at Chrysler Group talked to Lou Ann Hammond, CEO, www.drivingthenation.com, about Fiat’s production, sales and whether they could import Fiats from Europe.
Fiat now has 3 variations of the 500 for sale; the Fiat 500, Fiat 500 C and the Fiat Abarth.
Fiat would not provide Fiat 500 Abarth-specific sales/production numbers, but they did say sales since the beginning of the year were over 20,000 unit’s.
FIAT Studio orders are complete for 2012Model Year, and 2012 Fiat 500 Abarths are still available for retail customers. And due to the incredible consumer demand, Fiat is increasing production for 2013MY
The 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth will hit the studios during the last quarter of 2012. Fiat says they will have a Fiat Electric Vehicle (Fiat 500E) at the end of 2012. It will be produced in Toluca, Mexico as well.
Fiats for the United States are made in Toluca, Mexico. Why not us some of the over capacity in Europe and import from Europe to the United States?
The Fiat 500L will be brought into the United States in 2013. It will be produced in Serbia.