Fiat builds one-millionth 500

by: Zach Bowman

Fiat has constructed 1 million new 500 models. The company says that the milestone model rolled off the line at the manufacturer's Fiat Auto Poland facility. The one millionth 500 is a Lounge model with optional three-layer Bianco Perla exterior paint.

While the quirky little European runabout touched down on US shores for the 2011 model year, the hatchback has been on sale in the EU since 2007. In fact, Fiat sells the compact in more than 100 countries. While the North American model features a few aesthetic differences, including a revised front fascia, the car retains much of its European flair.

North American buyers have responded by dragging home a full 70,000 units since the model debut on our side of the globe. Each of those vehicles were manufactured at the Fiat plant in Toluca, Mexico. You can check out the brief press release below for more information on the Fiat 500 and the company's production achievement.

Lancia to live on with models built in America

 by: Zach Bowman

Motor Trend reports that Lancia isn't headed for the scrap heap after all. Chris Brown, a spokesperson for Chrysler, told MT the automaker will live on and continue to manufacture its Ypsilon hatchback in Italy. The remainder of the brand's vehicles will be built in America by Chrysler. What's more, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has said future Lancia models will be co-developed with Chrysler. That's a big shift from what we heard last week. As you may recall, the German site Automobilwoche reported the sun was poised to set on the Lancia brand for good, due in part to economic woes in Europe.

Under the rumored plan, Fiat would then push Maserati farther downmarket to help fill the gap. As it turns out, Marchionne was simply talking about further platform sharing between Fiat and its profitable American brand. That means we can likely expect to see more Lancia-badged Chryslers prowling the streets of Europe very soon.

All-electric Fiat 500E confirmed for LA Auto Show

by: Danny King

 

It looks like the all-electric version of the Fiat 500 will make its official debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. No word on whether Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne will bring the house down with his "we don't really want to build this car" routine.

The LA Auto Show has confirmed that the 500E will be one of the models revealed at the convention, but organizers didn't disclose further details about price, performance or potential on-sale date (best to leave that to Fiat anyhow, right?). Green Car Reports estimates that the car will be available only in limited numbers and that it will have an electric motor delivering about 100 horsepower.

Marchionne said in February that it would start making an all-electric 500 by the end of 2012, and the Italian automaker has been talking about the car since Chrysler unveiled a 500 BEV concept at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, but has been pretty mum on the subject ever since.