Fiat recently assembled a meeting of 400 Chrysler dealers to discuss plans for the upcoming introduction of the Fiat 500 to the U.S. market. Some 165 dealerships in 119 markets will be the first to offer the funky subcompact and those dealers will probably also be offered future Fiats and Alfa Romeo franchises as that brand is reintroduced to this market in coming years.

Fiat expects to expand the Fiat network to as many as 200 locations but it will concentrate on markets which it has determined are able to support sales of a hip, trendy small car. In other words, don’t expect to see Fiat 500s in rural Kansas any time soon.

The 2-door hatchback version of the 500 will be the only model offered at first, but Fiat expects to add a convertible, a high-pro Abarth version and an all-electric model later. Initially, dealers will be required to offer a small showroom (up to 3000 square feet) to showcase the 500 but may have to offer separate, stand-alone facilities in the future if they are to be chosen to sell Alfa Romeos, as well.

Fiat will begin selling the 500 late this year and hopes to find 50,000 buyers in its first year on the U.S. market.

(source: Automotive News)

--M.D.