2014 Fiat 500l Easy on 2040-cars

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Just 45% of Fiat dealers are profitable, and they're angry about it

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On average, Fiat dealers have only been selling about 17 cars a month.
We've been wondering for some time how Fiat dealers in North America have been getting along with just one model range in their showrooms up until recently. Franchisees spent millions building, stocking and manning sleek new 'studio' showrooms, only to have but a single model to sell, the cherubic 500. And even with its many derivatives, the Cinquecento is still an inexpensive model with its attendant lower margins. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then, that just 45 percent of US Fiat dealers are said to be profitable.

Abarth marks 50 years of 595 with special edition Fiat 500

Abarth presented its original 595 at the Turin Motor Show in 1963. It was the car that put the Scorpion marque on the map and propelled the original Fiat 500 into hot hatch territory. And to mark that occasion, Fiat's performance brand is launching the special edition you see here.
Revealed here ahead of its public debut at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, the new Abarth 595 50th Anniversary Edition packs a 1.4-liter turbo four with 180 horsepower (20 more than the standard 500 Abarth) channeled through the Abarth Competizione gearbox to the front wheels. The Scorpion brand has also retuned the suspension, fitted 305-millimeter Brembo discs, 17-inch wheels and installed a variable back-pressure exhaust.
Billed as the most powerful 595 to date, the special edition is identifiable by its matte white paint, red racing stripes and retro logos. Step inside and you'll find red leather buckets with white trim. Only 299 examples will be made, but don't go looking for this in US showrooms, as the Abarth range and the Fiat 500 upon which it's based is different in the two markets. Read more in the official press release below.

Is the Fiat 500L the new, smaller swagger wagon?

Toyota tried to make family hauler commercials cool with its "Swagger Wagon" spot for the Sienna minivan back in 2010, but now Fiat looks to have created the unrated version of Toyota's idea with a web ad for its new Fiat 500L called "The Motherhood." Trying to cater to the 500L's target demographic, no punches are pulled as this blonde British mom attempts to describe all the joys of family raising.
We're not going to spoil anything for you here, but if you're hoping for useful information about the larger 500L, then this commercial isn't for you. If you're looking for an entertaining way to kill a few minutes, then check the (now viral) video out by scrolling below. With more double entendres than you'll know what do with, though, we have to warn you that this video's language might be a little unsafe for conservative workplaces.