Northside FIAT of Houston Expects 1st FIAT 500 Subcompact Soon

Jan. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- Four Houston area dealerships are among 130 nationwide that will begin selling FIAT automobiles in 2011.

Among those Northside FIAT of Houston expects to receive the first of the Italian imports - a subcompact FIAT 500 - by the end of this quarter, said Ed Paez, General Manager for the dealership.  Initially the FIAT dealership will share space with Spring Chrysler Jeep Dodge at 21027 Interstate 45 North, exit 70A before moving into their exclusive FIAT studio located at 1501 Lake Robbins Dr. Suite 130 in The Woodlands Waterway District, estimated to open April 1.

Italian car enthusiasts in metro Houston are excited about the re-entry of FIAT into the American market after a 27 year hiatus. In many minds the fashionable FIAT 500 is akin to BMW's Mini and with gas prices potentially on the climb, the reintroduction of the Italian nameplate couldn’t have better timing.

"FIAT is a great brand and the FIAT 500 will deliver a great design and amazing fuel economy," said Alfred Flores, owner and president of the Northside FIAT.

“We’re taking pre-orders on the vehicle as we speak,” Paez said. “It’s an outstanding product that will be value priced to fit any size budget.”

With prices starting at $15,500 for three trim levels of the car called Pop, Sport and Lounge the FIAT expects to have a wide range of buyers. The Sport package includes 16-inch aluminum wheels, fog lamps, body cladding and a sport-tuned suspension. The Lounge version has 15-inch aluminum wheels and features a sunroof and satellite radio.
The FIAT 500, or Cinquecento as its know in Europe, is meant to complement Chrysler's small-car lineup in North America.  

The FIAT 500 hatchback is powered by a 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 101 horsepower. The 500 comes in a six-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual gearbox and is expected to deliver more than 40 miles per gallon when final mpg tests are complete.

"This is a car for a youthful, stylish person that wants something fun to drive," Bruce Glascock, a partner in the operation said. “The re-introduction is creating quite a buzz.  People are stopping me on the streets and asking about FIAT--especially former owners.  This launch is one of THE big stories of 2011.”

The 110-year-old FIAT nameplate gained popularity in the United States during the energy crisis of the 1970s; however, the Italian carmaker pulled out of the American market in 1983 due to declining sales.  The older FIAT vehicles were designed for narrow Italian roads, the new ones are meant for the highways and byways of a Houston-based, Texas lifestyle.

The cars will come with a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty as well as a three-year, 36,000-mile complimentary maintenance program. A convertible and an electric version will arrive down the line.

The 130 U.S. FIAT dealers, chosen from 600 applicants, are required to build separate studios for the cars.

The Houston Area FIAT dealers other than Northside FIAT in the Woodlands include FIAT of Sugarland, FIAT of Clear Lake, and Helfman FIAT.  For more details about the FIAT 500 or to become a part of the pre-order list you can contact Northside FIAT by clicking here http://www.houstonnorthsidefiat.com/info/form/446/order_y....

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About Northside FIAT of Houston: Northside FIAT of Houston is a new and used car dealership that proudly services and sells parts for the FIAT nameplate including and especially the all-new FIAT 500.