It is rumored that Fiat will discontinue the petite 500 hatchback from its US lineup after the 2020 model year. If accurate, this move marks the elimination of the brand’s most easily recognizable car from the American market.
If you bring up the Fiat brand to someone who isn’t a car enthusiast, the charming little 500 is likely the first car they would think of. However, as per a report from Autoblog, the discontinuation will encompass almost the entire 500 range. This includes saying goodbye to the hatchback, Cabrio, and spirited Abarth models. With this iconic car set to depart, the brand will only have the 500X crossover, the 124 Spider, and the 500L left in North America.
This isn’t the first Fiat model that has been speculated to be phased out in the US. Rumors have long been circulating about the brand’s Miata-based 124 Spider, including as recent as last week. Nevertheless, the choice to discontinue the most recognizable car in the Fiat lineup is peculiar.
While the 500 was not the poorest-selling vehicle in the automaker’s lineup, that distinction belongs to the 500L and the 500X, leading to legitimate skepticism about this reported decision. There is a possibility that the all-electric 500e could continue the legacy and propel the compact car into the next era, with its debut scheduled for the 2020 Geneva Motor Show.
While speculations abound regarding why this decision was made and what the brand’s future strategy might entail, no official statements have been released by FCA. Until a press release or any confirmation from FCA surfaces, we can only anticipate the poignant departure of Eurobeat-filled jaunts to the espresso bar in the 500.
