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Global Market for the Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 we love is landing on the shores of Brazil, after having entered other South American markets. This article by La Stampa "Anche i brasiliani si innamoreranno della 500", describes some of the features been adapted to fit the local needs. Especially interesting (as much as obvious), is the calibration of the injection fuel system to meet the 22% ethanol component.

With an eye on marketing it seems like a timely move, just after the announcement that the 2016 Summer Olympics will be held in Rio de Janeiro. It will be interesting to see what the market penetration of the 500 (or of its "offsprings") will have been, by then.

Tags: Brazil, FIAT, FIAT_500, auto, ethanol, fuel_injection

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Permalink Reply by Cesare Rotundo on October 12, 2009 at 5:38pm

When is FIAT going to realize that "la 500" should be introduced in the US as well? At least in California and on the East Coast. I see more and more Smarts and lots of Minis, plus a slew of horrible little cars. "La 500" is cooler and trendier than all that. Alfa Romeo MiTo? FIAT, please don't waste your chance for success with that. There is a desire for little cars that don't make people look like they don't have money to buy a bigger car. Fateci guidare italiano!

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Permalink Reply by Lucia Panini on October 12, 2009 at 8:20pm

Well said, Cesare! "Fateci guidare italiano!" we could almost adopt it as a tagline for launching the 500 in the U.S. Are Fiat ears listening? I must say, though, that during my last visit back home I saw a few nice Alfa Romeo that I would not mind at all driving on California streets!

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Permalink Reply by Matteo Fabiano on October 18, 2009 at 10:40pm

Any updates/rumors/indiscretions on a possible timeline? I drove tested a Smart this weekend, but it feel short of expectation. Nice, but very little verve under the hood and sluggish transmission. I could use a Fiat 500, actually...