World Auto News & Reviews

Chrysler announced last month that it has started the dealer selection process for the reintroduction of the Fiat brand in the United States. The Auburn Hills automaker has now invited 600 dealers to a meeting at its headquarters later this month to learn more about what the requirements will be for them to sell Fiats in the United States.

The first Fiat for the North American market will be the 500 hatchback, which will be built at the company’s Toluca, Mexico. Sales of the Fiat 500 will begin in December. The Fiat 500 Cabrio will join dealers in 2011. It is also rumored that Fiat plans on selling a four-door Fiat 500 that will be classified as a minivan in the U.S. In 2012, selected Fiat dealerships will also sell an electric-version of the 500.
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Fiat has a special edition version of its 500 for just about everybody. Only days after the arrival of the £30k Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, the Italian automaker announced the launch of the fashion-inspired, 500CbyDIESEL which goes on sale in the UK today.

The convertible version of the 500byDIESEL gets the same distinct features as the tin top model including the unique 16-inch alloy wheels and the denim fabric interior, plus a new Midnight Indigo Blue exterior color, which Fiat claims is reminiscent of stone-washed denim jeans.

The other available shades are Crossover Black and DIESEL Green, while buyers also have the option of black, ivory and red soft top colors.
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Following on from the success of the Fiat 500 Pink, another unique limited edition version of the popular city car has been announced – the Fiat 500 BlackJack.

Just 200 examples of the matt black supermini will be available when it goes on sale next week. As with previous special edition 500 models, the BlackJack will initially be available on-line only at www.fiat.co.uk.

The BlackJack name reinforces the character of this car: irreverent and mysterious. The 500 BlackJack is the first vehicle in this segment to offer the special paint, and is one of several exciting Fiat 500 limited editions being introduced this year.

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The new Abarth 500C, which has just gone on sale in the UK, allows drivers to combine unrivalled small car performance with the thrill of wind-in-the-hair motoring in one stylish and well-equipped package.

Abarth’s hard-top version of the 500 has caught the imagination of drivers everywhere and helped cement the return of Abarth to the public consciousness. By thoroughly re-engineering the soft-top 500C, Abarth is planning to attract an entirely new audience to the attributes of the resurgent brand, broadening that appeal and encouraging the discerning driver to enter the world of Abarth.

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The award-winning Fiat 500 supermini has received further confirmation of its green credentials after scooping top honours in the Supermini category of the What Car? Green Awards for the second year in a row.

The awards, which took place last night (14 July) at Twickenham Stadium, Middlesex, are designed to recognise and highlight motoring’s most economical and environmentally-friendly cars.

The What Car? judges chose the 1.2-litre version of the Fiat 500 for top supermini honours in this year’s competition – the same award as the one picked up by the popular city car in 2009. The vehicle is fitted as standard with Fiat’s fuel-saving Start&Stop system – as are all 500 models.
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