The 500X is a pretty compelling vehicle in its segment, but the short and lousy track record of the brand since being reintroduced in the states certainly won't help.
Even thought the 500X looks many times better than the sister Jeep Renegade, it will probably be outsold 10-to-1 or more after a while. Right now the 500X is actually helping Fiat avoid huge month-over-month slides versus last year.
We had the 'opportunity' to entertain Fiat at one point.
In our market there were two initial Fiat stores; both existing CDJR locations, one with two CDJR stores, for what it's worth. Both were located in shopping malls. Both failed, one within a year -- the better capitalized about three years after opening.
The new crop of two Fiat stores are both non-CDJR dealerships with large footprints. Both within the top 10 in total sales in Indiana, 10+ rooftops.
Not surprisingly, both Fiat stores are now shacked up with former standalone used car dealerships for their respective groups. If nothing else, it provides some legitimacy to the buyer, especially the prime buyer who might not always consider a stand-alone used car lot.
One of them has grown to add Maserati, Alfa, and has changed their used car stock around the reflect the 'quirky import' customer who might shop for a Fiat and the higher-end customer looking for used imports. This particular location is also most certainly helped by the fact that it's neighbors are BMW, Infiniti and Mini stores (all owned by a different group, but still -- makes an interesting little import corner).
|