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Old 02-13-2010, 04:22 AM   #1
Ralph
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Default The 500

Has anyone been approached by Detroit about the 500 franchise? As I've heard, it will only be retailed through select metro points who make the investment in separate display showrooms. I just read they've announced they're bringing it to Canadian dealerships by the end of 2010 as well. 10 months away isn't a long time to develop a new distribution network, especially when it may be pitting metro dealers against each other as they compete for the 500 in their stores. I know I'll never see the thing...so I'm only curious about anyone else's take or information.
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Old 02-13-2010, 08:08 AM   #2
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That's a great question, especially when you think there's really not too much time left for dealers to get ready for the new vehicle.

I'll include the topic in my next Blast FAX to the Chrysler dealers.

My bet is the number and location of dealers that will carry the Fiat 500 will look a lot like the Mini and Smart-Car dealer network.
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Old 02-13-2010, 08:14 AM   #3
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It’s my understanding the first thing Chrysler is looking for in awarding a 500 franchise… is having a Mini franchise in the immediate area. My guess is that the first Fiat based product on the ground at most CJD dealers, won’t be a 500.
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Old 02-13-2010, 08:51 AM   #4
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I think it will be interesting to see how the American consumer responds to the Fiat 500. As I recall, isn't Chrysler hoping for about 50,000 units annually?

I've read that the Smart-car is stone cold lately. I don't know if that's a reaction to that particular car or the entire class of micro-cars?
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Old 02-13-2010, 02:40 PM   #5
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Yeah, they sold about 800 Smarts in January. Almost as many as Jeep sold Compass and Patriot. LOL
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Old 02-23-2010, 09:33 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XDCX View Post
I'll include the topic in my next Blast FAX to the Chrysler dealers.
I just started sending a Blast FAX and wanted to "bump" this thread to the front page.

Has Chrysler been contacting dealers for the Fiat 500 franchise? Any bets on how many dealers will end up selling the 500?
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Old 02-23-2010, 02:15 PM   #7
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They better let every Chrysler Dealer sell the 500 . We all need new product and they need the sales
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Old 02-23-2010, 03:10 PM   #8
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Well, they're planning 120,000 a year, half going to South America and last week announced they'll be retailing them in Canada as well. That's a couple a piece per year at best.
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Old 02-23-2010, 06:49 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s32741b View Post
They better let every Chrysler Dealer sell the 500 . We all need new product and they need the sales
Sorry, but Chrysler's already on record that only "select" dealers will be franchised to sell the Fiat 500. They've indicated that only dealers in metro markets are likely to be selected and dealers will need to make facility changes to display the 500.

The question in this thread is if Chrysler has started the selection process yet? If the Fiat 500 is supposed to be available for sale by the end of the year, there's not too much time left for the dealers to make facility changes.
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Old 02-24-2010, 03:06 AM   #10
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Oh...the facility changes are never enforced. If you're in the "good graces" of Turin, you can do whatever you want. Only the peons have to actually make facility upgrades. The rest get extensions and have to sign pretend IOU's.
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Old 02-24-2010, 07:44 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph View Post
Well, they're planning 120,000 a year, half going to South America and last week announced they'll be retailing them in Canada as well. That's a couple a piece per year at best.
That seems to fit with what I've read too.

My bet is Chrysler's hoping to retail 50,000 Fiat 500s in the U.S. in the first year and I'd bet they'll designate about 500 dealers. That would equate to an average sales rate of 100 vehicles per dealer per year.

I'd also be willing to bet that the BCs know EXACTLY which dealers they want to have the Fiat 500 franchise and Dealer/Factory relations will play a large role in the selection process.
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Old 02-24-2010, 07:59 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph View Post
Oh...the facility changes are never enforced. If you're in the "good graces" of Turin, you can do whatever you want. Only the peons have to actually make facility upgrades. The rest get extensions and have to sign pretend IOU's.
I agree the facility requirement will probably be minimal - there's just not enough time left before the vehicles arrive to expect dealers to make many changes.

I remember when Toyota first added the Scion brand to select dealers. The dealers were required to install new signage and to designate a separate section of the showroom for Scion vehicles. I think the addition of the Fiat 500 franchise to a Chrysler dealership will follow the same model.
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