Questions for the Fiat 500X Team

[Terry]

It is nice that we can go to a dealership and order the car, however, I don't know how many people would order a vehicle they never drove. Is there a chance that dealers will get at least one vehicle to test drive before all the cars arrive? Also, it must be a marketing strategy to withold the X as Jeep dealerships are already receiving the Renegade that comes off the same assembly line in Italy.. Finally, will the first cars be prima or special editions with special packages or pricing?----Chris, thanks for all your work and for this great site!

[wnyfiat]

Why no manual transmission?
Very serious of purchase of X, purchased L in Nov, disappointed that Fiat missed the winter market for new X. Could not wait but maybe in fall.

[Fiat500USA]

It is nice that we can go to a dealership and order the car, however, I don't know how many people would order a vehicle they never drove. Is there a chance that dealers will get at least one vehicle to test drive before all the cars arrive? Also, it must be a marketing strategy to withold the X as Jeep dealerships are already receiving the Renegade that comes off the same assembly line in Italy.. Finally, will the first cars be prima or special editions with special packages or pricing?----Chris, thanks for all your work and for this great site!

Hi Terry! Great to hear from you and thanks for the kind words!

The Jeep began US production before the 500X. The US 500X began being assembled around February 18. Dealers that I know are getting 5 cars in a preliminary shipment with more to follow. You are correct that not many people will buy before driving. Of course, some of us Prima owners did just that! LOL. For the hardcore Fiat enthusiasts out there, they can buy a car off of the preliminary list. That's my plan at least. I'll be driving one soon but can't really say too much right now.

Dealers will eventually get their preliminary cars, which folks can test drive, and then the dealers can find a car a customer wants from the allotment pools located across the country.

Check this story out I did in February, it gives some of the preliminary time frames of when to expect cars. Again, I'll have more info coming very shortly when I am allowed to say it.

Fiat 500X US Production Beginning

[Fiat500USA]

Why no manual transmission?
Very serious of purchase of X, purchased L in Nov, disappointed that Fiat missed the winter market for new X. Could not wait but maybe in fall.

Here is why no manual transmissions as told to me by the person in charge. First, Americans sadly don't buy them. Manual transmission take rate is something like 7 %. Also, very few cars in this segment have a manual trans, so that doesn't help.

Then there is the problem of logistics. One of the issues is that there is a constriction on combining all sorts of different options because the car is made so far away. You cannot special order a 500X. What they do is build cars with packages and have them ready made sitting at depots. Why is this? Because all the cars for 80 + countries are going to be made in one factory, so that means waiting lists, plus once a car is built there is a long boat ride to get here. This is one of the reasons there are no manual transmission cars other than the Pop. They cannot waste any space on the ship, at the port, or at the depots for something with limited market appeal.

My thought: Maybe one day this will change, but for right now when they are starting up, this is what we have.

[Andree]

Here is why no manual transmissions as told to me by the person in charge. First, Americans sadly don't buy them. Manual transmission take rate is something like 7 %. Also, very few cars in this segment have a manual trans, so that doesn't help.

Then there is the problem of logistics. One of the issues is that there is a constriction on combining all sorts of different options because the car is made so far away. You cannot special order a 500X. What they do is build cars with packages and have them ready made sitting at depots. Why is this? Because all the cars for 80 + countries are going to be made in one factory, so that means waiting lists, plus once a car is built there is a long boat ride to get here. This is one of the reasons there are no manual transmission cars other than the Pop. They cannot waste any space on the ship, at the port, or at the depots for something with limited market appeal.

My thought: Maybe one day this will change, but for right now when they are starting up, this is what we have.

I think it's a good idea for starting out with the 500x. They've added transmissions before, like adding the stick to the Lounge 500 that originally only came in an automatic.

And I remember someone wanting a Lounge with the Abarth engine, which is pretty darn close to what could be found on the GQ Abarth.

They've added the different true automatic to the 500L line.

So, just because it comes out one way, it's not necessarily going to stay that way forever in the future. Starting off with the automatic will allow anyone to drive the vehicle. Anywhere in the world.

Get it out there. Get it seen. See where and how it catches on. See what is preferred of all the various models and trims.

Fiat has such an interesting customer base. You never know who is going to buy one, who you're going to see in a Fiat. Doesn't seem to matter much who they advertise to, or what their ads even mean, the cars sell to people who like the cars, despite the advertising.

So just like the 500 and 500L, we'll have even more people joining in the Fiat family. Will those people later want a stick shift? Will Fiat bring a stick to perhaps their Pop 500x model? And let that be the car folks end up tricking out, since it will have the Abarth engine? Maybe. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Fiat500USA]

Now is the time to get me your questions about the Fiat 500X. This is a great opportunity, so don't miss it! Thanks!

[Andree]

Now is the time to get me your questions about the Fiat 500X. This is a great opportunity, so don't miss it! Thanks!

But I don't have any questions. Just a couple of complaints about not matching the interior with the dash on the Easy and the Lounge. That chaps my hide. And yes, it would be enough to make me not buy either one.

The dash doesn't match the seats!

[Terry]

Chris, one more question for you to pose for the team: Any plans for a power rear lift gate? -My wife, at 5ft2 found it hard to reach the rear hatch on the L and we fear it may be a similar result on the X. Thanks much!

[Andree]

Chris, one more question for you to pose for the team: Any plans for a power rear lift gate? -My wife, at 5ft2 found it hard to reach the rear hatch on the L and we fear it may be a similar result on the X. Thanks much!

Yes! I'd be all for that. I'm a wee bit taller, but that's not my problem, it's that my shoulder is getting worse...and my arms are often laden after grabbing my bags. I can carry the lighter bags, but it's hard to reach up that high while holding the lighter bags. It would be an excellent option for those of us who are disabled or in body pain!

[Fiat500USA]

Hi everybody, reminder that now*is the time to get me your questions about the Fiat 500X. Meeting tonight and tomorrow with the team so don't miss this opportunity! Thanks!

[rustbucket]

Hi everybody, reminder that now*is the time to get me your questions about the Fiat 500X. Meeting tonight and tomorrow with the team so don't miss this opportunity! Thanks!

Will it come with extra blue pills in the glovebox?


On a more serious note- have mpg numbers been released? The similar powertrainwise Jeep Renegade (2.4L, 9 speed, 4wd) is rated 21/29 .... respectable but not class leading. Will the 500X do better? Mpg's are a pretty big selling point in this class and the Honda CR-V's 26/33 and the Subaru Forester's 24/32 are considerably better than the Renegade's mpg.

[Fiat500USA]

But I don't have any questions. Just a couple of complaints about not matching the interior with the dash on the Easy and the Lounge. That chaps my hide. And yes, it would be enough to make me not buy either one.

The dash doesn't match the seats!

On most cars except the Trekking, the dash will match the body color of the car, just like the 500! The website will reflect this shortly.

Here is some inside news. The configurator was set to go live in April, however, when the opportunity to advertise on the Super Bowl came, they had to put something up. They only had limited art work available and that is why you see the red dash with other color cars!
Fiat_500X_Press_Event (17)tt.jpg

[Fiat500USA]

Thanks for the questions for the Fiat 500X team. Here are some of the answers I know so far. A reminder for others is that I am flying out to meet the team in a few days. Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll see if I can get some answers for you.

1. Can we get a Diesel or multjet in the USA? - Good question. I'll ask! On the smaller 500, I was told a while ago and have posted that a diesel is not likely do to the cost of certifying it for sale in the US. Plus, there are already three power plants for the car (MultiAir, MultiAir Turbo and electric powered).
2. if we can get a diesel when can we we expect it? - See above.
3. what are the chances that we can get a 500x abarth? - I've asked this in November and followed up a few days ago. It doesn't seem likely. Why? An Abarth CUV is not in keeping with the heritage of the brand. Remember you heard it here first!
4. are you guys planing on offering performance parts at the dealerships if a customer wants his 500x to have more power? - Good Question!
5. if so when can we expect to see the parts at the dealerships? - See above
6. how long has Fiat been planing to make the 500x for the USA market? - Product planners have been working on this project for about 3 1/2 years.
7. have you guys had any funny reactions from "what a off roading Fiat? ? - Interesting question!
8. so what are you guys planing on doing for decals and stickers? - Yes, see this story: Fiat 500X by Mopar, and this one: Mopar Gears up Fiat 500X Accessories
9. as far as accessories , like that the Jeep cherokee and grand cherokee has are you guys as Fiat planing on selling the same or similar products? - I'll Ask!
10. what have you guys cones to make sure that the studios have enough stock? - I'll ask!

well I will ask you as if I was talking to the 500x team. So I would like to know 10 questions.
1. Can we get a Diesel or multjet in the USA?
2. if we can get a diesel when can we we expect it?
3. what are the chances that we can get a 500x abarth?
4. are you guys planing on offering performance parts at the dealerships if a customer wants his 500x to have more power?
5. if so when can we expect to see the parts at the dealerships?
6. how long has Fiat been planing to make the 500x for the USA market?
7. have you guys had any funny reactions from "what a off roading Fiat? ?
8. so what are you guys planing on doing for decals and stickers?
9. as far as accessories , like that the Jeep cherokee and grand cherokee has are you guys as Fiat planing on selling the same or similar products?
10. what have you guys cones to make sure that the studios have enough stock?

OK, here are some answers that I received for the above questions.

1. Can we get a Diesel or multjet in the USA? -As in the answer I gave above. Not likely due to the cost at the moment.
2. if we can get a diesel when can we we expect it? - Never say never, though...
3. what are the chances that we can get a 500x abarth? - As above in the previous answer.
4. are you guys planing on offering performance parts at the dealerships if a customer wants his 500x to have more power? - That is a possibility that they will look into because the 500X shares much in common with the Renegade. There are currently more than 100 accessories that will be available around launch time.
5. if so when can we expect to see the parts at the dealerships? - See directly above.
6. how long has Fiat been planing to make the 500x for the USA market? - Product planners have been working on this project for about 3 1/2 years.
7. have you guys had any funny reactions from "what a off roading Fiat? ? - The 500X is designed to excel on-road with the excellent handling that you expect from a European car. The Renegade is more set up for off-road driving.
8. so what are you guys planing on doing for decals and stickers? - Yes, see this story: Fiat 500X by Mopar, and this one: Mopar Gears up Fiat 500X Accessories
9. as far as accessories , like that the Jeep cherokee and grand cherokee has are you guys as Fiat planing on selling the same or similar products? - Follow the links above to see what will be offered.
10. what have you guys done to make sure that the studios have enough stock? - The first shipment arrives next week. Dealers get them in about 4 weeks or so. Read this story and it will give you an idea about how they will be allocated: Fiat 500X US Production Beginning, Reserve Yours Today!

[Andree]

On most cars except the Trekking, the dash will match the body color of the car, just like the 500! The website will reflect this shortly.

Here is some inside news. The configurator was set to go live in April, however, when the opportunity to advertise on the Super Bowl came, they had to put something up. They only had limited art work available and that is why you see the red dash with other color cars!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]17425[/ATTACH]

Woo hoo! Yay! Whoopee! Huzzah! Such great news! The tan, with the tan dash, with the tan interior. Oooh. Ahhh. MUST. SEE. PHOTOS. This is WONDERFUL news. Thank you so much!

[jdavenport21]

Just bought my 500x about a week ago Love the car and saw the performance exhaust wish I could here it before buying it because I don't want my baby ferrari sound to go away but I do want it to be a little louder and I wish they had more performance parts for it. Like the 500x team said the x was built more for street than the renagade so why not give more street performance accessories like coil-overs or cold air intake or a performance chip? Love my car though just want to be able to customize the daylights out of it besides looks.