Can trained dealers deliver cars before opening the studio?!!!

[Mike S]

We still have no answers.

I really don't want to fly somewhere and drive the car back, but I will if my local dealer can't do it. The local dealers have no interest in reaching out to customers and I don't feel I should be required to support them.

This is supposed to be something new. A new way of selling cars through a "Studio" that will let you customize your new car. Instead, we are mostly getting the same old American car dealers pulling the same stunts with extra fees to run up the price.

With all the training, it's still impossible to find anyone that knows ANYTHING.

I don't mean to be redundant, but I'm disappointed.

[Fiat500USA]

Mike S wrote

We still have no answers.

I really don't want to fly somewhere and drive the car back, but I will if my local dealer can't do it. The local dealers have no interest in reaching out to customers and I don't feel I should be required to support them.

This is supposed to be something new. A new way of selling cars through a "Studio" that will let you customize your new car. Instead, we are mostly getting the same old American car dealers pulling the same stunts with extra fees to run up the price.

With all the training, it's still impossible to find anyone that knows ANYTHING.

I don't mean to be redundant, but I'm disappointed.

I hear you Mike.

There was *suppose* to be a letter sent later in January outlining the Prima. That past quietly while I was a way. I've heard about the delivery thing from high level, but it was still in concept form (I think the reporter that announced that jumped the gun).  I haven't gotten anything concrete as of yet. The dealers are undergoing training in LA from Feb 8-11.  I think I'll be dumb and say we *might* hear something when they come back?

I haven't heard of US dealers bumping the price.  The one we are hearing about is in Canada.

The last thing I heard is, you call a dealer you want to get the car from, and fill out the paperwork. He'll get the car. As far as if they can deliver it without the facility being open, that is the problem, and I'm thinking not, but this may have changed.  If we could see a list of each dealers opening ETA, that would help (hint/hint) us figure where we can go.

I'm thinking I'll have to drive (take a train?) 325 miles to Criswell. I just don't know.

[Gavin]

Well I did hear from the Albuquerque Dealer yesterday...so that is good.

Good News. They will have a Demo unit at end of Feb (I might have my Prima sooner...i might not)
Bad News. Fiat Studio (he called it Fiat Point ?) will be open in 10 to 12 months...so likely around this time next year).

But they are a Chrysler dealership...is seems Fiat could easily ship the PE to his location and do the sales very similar to buying a Chrysler??

Gavin

[marcants1977]

So if I go through with the delivery of my Prima here in Colorado, how am I supposed to get it serviced if closest dealer is 1000 miles away and local dealers wont open till end of the year?

[sketch]

Talk to the dealer.  The man who's been out in charge of Fiat sales at Ray Brandt Chrysler Dodge Jeep (and soon Fiat!) was very enthusiastic about the launch.

Their Studio won't be open for a few months, but he made it pretty clear that the car will be available foe purchase before then.  And I'm fully confident that the dealers will be able to service them.  I saw the demo car in the service bay, after all! :P

I wouldn't worry.  It's not terribly difficult for a dealership to service a car they don't or didn't make; at most dealerships, it's merely a matter of policy.  My Toyota dealer, for example, will service all used vehicles purchased there, regardless of make.

[Fiat500USA]

Guido wrote

So if I go through with the delivery of my Prima here in Colorado, how am I supposed to get it serviced if closest dealer is 1000 miles away and local dealers wont open till end of the year?

Hi Guido,

Welcome to the forum!

I'm thinking that the actual showroom might not be ready, but the service and sales training will be done.  There is an initial parts and special tool order that has to be done (by the way, it is A LOT of money). Last I heard, that was going to happen in January/February so, my guess is that the dealer can service the car at his Chrysler shop, and it will be done by the Fiat certified tech, with the parts and tools. It just won't be at the "official" Fiat service area.

[Guido]

The local dealer said they don't want to spend that kind of money right now and will wait for the studio to open in November. I think we are out of luck. Wish Fiat would have chosen dealers that were more serious for Colorado and not a penny pincher....Too bad they don't yank the dealer rights and award it to next people in line. Autonation seems to really have their pants around their ankles, they were fast to brag about having been awarded the most Fiat Dealerships and haven't even speaked a peep since......

Guido

[sketch]

If the service techs have gone through the necessary training, they can service your cars today.  This was confirmed by my salesman today during my test drive.  He said the guys came back recently from a regional training session and are fully certified to service the car... and they don't even know which building will house the Studio! :P