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Maserati Levante SUV may be built in Italy after all

In July Fiat halted its investments in Italy, putting on hold plans for the Maserati Levante SUV to be built at the automaker's flagship factory in Turin. But Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, whose company owns Maserati, met with unions on Wednesday, and he may announce plans to move forward with production of the SUV at the Mirafiori factory if the CEO and the unions reach an agreement, Bloomberg reports.
Marchionne is reportedly about ready to build new cars at Fiat's largest and oldest factory, on the grounds that 5,300 workers accept extended temporary layoffs through most of next year in a slowing European auto market. If unions don't accept the deal, it's not clear whether Fiat would still consider building the Levante at Mirafiori or not.
The Levante, Maserati's first SUV, is based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, and we reported two years ago that it would be built in Detroit next to its Jeep cousin. Obviously those plans have been altered considerably in the intervening period of time.

Neiman Marcus adds $65,000 Fiat 600 Jolly look-alike to Fantasy Gifts collection

Neiman Marcus recently released its Fantasy Gifts collection - a part of its Christmas catalog - that includes his and hers Island Cars featuring bespoke touches by Lilly Pulitzer. The vehicles are customized versions of the Island Car built by Island Car Limited in West Palm Beach, FL. The compact beach machines are manufactured to look like the Fiat 600 Jollys that were made in 1959 and from 1961 to 1964. The new ones cost $65,000 each. Neiman Marcus' Island Cars comes with signature Lilly Pulitzer prints, towels, tote bags, swim trucks for him, as well as a caftan (a long, loose dress) for her. Other than these extras, the beach-oriented cars share a lot of the same components as the ones built by Island Car Limited. The vehicles are built off a composite construction and compared to an original Jolly are lower, wider, and have more storage space. The Island Cars are powered by the company's own electric motors and lightweight batteries. Island Car Limited doesn't say what kind of range or batteries the compacts have, so we're assuming the vehicles are Neighborhood Electric Vehicles. While $65,000 is a lot of money for an electric vehicle that doesn't have doors, Hagerty values the average price of a 1964 600 Jolly at $44,400. Looking for something more powerful from the Neiman Marcus catalogue? There's always the Infiniti Q60 Red Sport. Related Video: News Source: Neiman MarcusImage Credit: Neiman Marcus Celebrities Design/Style Green Fiat Coupe Electric Special and Limited Editions neiman marcus neiman marcus christmas book

Abarth 600e electric crossover previewed with 240 horsepower

The second electric member of the Abarth family is nearly ready to make its debut. Based on the Fiat 600e crossover unveiled in 2023 for the European market, it features a muscular-looking exterior design and the most powerful drivetrain the brand has ever put in a car. Finished in Hypnotic Purple, the Abarth 600e sits much lower than the Fiat-branded model. The picture released by the firm shows the Scorpionissima trim, which will be limited to 1,949 units and only offered at launch, so keep in mind that the standard car might look a little different. With that said, it gets a deeper front bumper, 20-inch wheels designed to clear bigger brakes, and a massive roof-mounted spoiler. Abarth hasn't released full technical specifications. All we know at this stage is that the 600e Scorpionissima Edition will ship with a 240-horsepower drivetrain. That figure makes it the most powerful regular-production model in the brand's history, but it doesn't tell the full story. The 600e stretches 164 inches long, so it's likely the biggest car in Abarth's history, and there's a chance it will be the heaviest as well. That's not to say it won't be fun to drive. Abarth wrapped the big wheels with sticky tires and, significantly, fitted a mechanical limited-slip differential. We'll need to be patient to find out what the 600e looks like inside; Abarth has only clarified that the model will be "loaded." More details about the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima Edition will emerge in the coming months, though nothing suggests we'll see the model in the United States. And, while the standard 600e has a gasoline-burning counterpart, it doesn't sound like the Abarth will get one. Related video: