Fiat 500 U.S. Sales Unsatisfactory, Bertone Investment Scrapped

[sjmst]

WHAT? They have not even truly started yet?  

Fiat 500 U.S. Sales Unsatisfactory, Bertone Investment Scrapped

   
 
Fiat 500
After a number of discussions concerning Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne has some doubts regarding the first sales results of the Fiat 500 on the US market.

The Fiat 500 has been sold in a number of 500 units last month in the States. Considering that there are 30 dealerships in the country and a number of 130 are expected to open by the end of the summer, that should theoretically boost sales levels.

However, the Italian automaker has other plans in the US too, besides the 500 model, and one of those concerns Bertone. After failing to set an agreement with the FIOM union that represents the factory, the Turin-based automaker has suspended a $710 million (EUR490,000,000) investment in the former Bertone plant.

The money should have been invested in developing a new Maserati that will replace the Quattroporte model, and a medium size car to take on BMW’s 5 Series and Mercedes Benz’s E Klasse. The medium size car should appear on the market in Europe somewhere in 2012 and the Quattroporte replacement should be on display in 2013.

"The agreement is in a few days," confirmed Bertone officials. "There are alternative plans to be in Italy or elsewhere. I'd rather make a Maserati in Italy, are optimistic that the car can do in our country. It would be a shame for the workers the establishment does not allow Fiat to make the investment there, but everyone is free to make its own choices. We have been an incredible clarity. We have a contract at Mirafiori and at Pomigliano that were voted on and accepted by the majority of our employees. I can not create two states in the Fiat."

[Fiat500USA]

Sam, where did you read that?

[Scorpion]

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/fiat-500-us-sales-unsatisfactory-bertone-investment-scrapped-34116.html

Consider that right now this seems to be the only report of it though. And, who knows the legitimacy of the source.

[sjmst]

Fiat 500 U.S. Sales Unsatisfactory, Bertone Investment Scrapped
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/fiat-500-us-sales-unsatisfactory-bertone-investment-scrapped-34116.html

[sjmst]

How could he say that? NO ADVERTISING, Almost NO Dealers and they are disappointed?
Is this article a belated April Fools joke?

[Fiat500USA]

Ridiculous, don't believe that about the 500. Marketing hasn't even started yet.  

They are in Bucharest, Romania... A little far away to know what's going on here, other than reading one of my posts and translating it badly.
 

[sjmst]

Fiat500USA wrote

Ridiculous, don't believe that about the 500. Marketing hasn't even started yet.  

They are in Bucharest, Romania... A little far away to know what's going on here, other than reading one of my posts and translating it badly.

Tru dat

[Fiat500USA]

sjmst wrote

Tru dat

That's funny