Alexandre
Presented in full COVID, The electric Fiat 500 will soon celebrate its 3rd anniversary. An important model for the Italian brand Fiat because by 2030, the entire range will be electric. The electric version is to succeed the internal combustion version...which is resisting!
A short while ago, we revealed that the Fiat 500 was Fiat's best-selling model worldwide. Quite a feat, given that this is a very European model. The Italian manufacturer did try to sell its thermal model in the USA, but without success, as sales were halted in 2019.
So where do sales of the electric version of the 500 launched in 2020 stand in relation to the internal combustion version launched in 2007?
To understand the table below :
- ICE: internal combustion engine
- BEV: electric motor
- H1: 1st half
| Fiat 500 (ICE + BEV) | Fiat 500 BEV | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 H1 | 31340 | |
| 2022 | 180400 | 66732 |
| 2021 | 175950 | 44000 |
| 2020 | 141313 | 10000 |
| 2019 | 175017 | |
| 2018 | 188448 | |
| 2017 | 189360 | |
| 2016 | 183194 | |
| 2015 | 180005 | |
| 2014 | 180403 | |
| 2013 | 158918 | |
| 2012 | 145700 | |
| 2011 | 156051 | |
| 2010 | 172205 | |
| 2009 | 179241 | |
| 2008 | 177680 | |
| 2007 | 42468 |
First-half sales figures for the Fiat 500 are not yet available. However, we note that the electric version will account for around 25 % of sales in 2021, rising to 33 % in 2022.
The year 2023 seems to follow the trend of 2022. These figures show that the thermal versionwhich is much more affordable than the electric version, makes a stand.
As a reminder, the average price for the internal combustion version is €17,000 to €20,000, compared with €30,000 to €35,000 for the electric version... Without the ecological bonuses and penalties, which vary from year to year and from country to country...
From 4th to 5th best-selling electric car in Europe
The year 2022 was far from bad for the 500, as it is ranked 4th best-selling electric car in Europe, behind the 2 Teslas and the Volkswagen ID.4. Not bad!
However, the skies darken in 2023, because in the first quarter of 2023, the 500 electric loses a place, overtaken by the ID.3. It is also overtaken by the MG4, the Dacia Spring, the Volvo XC40 and the Peugeot e-208.
And yes, the electric 500 is priced like an MG4, but in a smaller segment. The other cars are more expensive, but also in a larger segment... the price war begins?
Fiat to triple sales of its electric 500
Launched in 2007, the 500 thermal has had a very successful career indeed. You'd think Fiat would try to make it celebrate its 20th anniversary!
Yet, electric version to triple sales to make up for the halt in thermal sales. This will inevitably involve a significant price cuts, or the conquest of a new market.
As mentioned above, Fiat has already tried the USA for its 500 combustion engine, without success. And yet.., the new electric 500 sets out again to conquer the United States because, after being unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2022, it will arrive on Uncle Sam's shores in the first quarter of 2024.
Will ambassador Leonardo be enough to ensure success this time?
The italpassion articles are I think sponsored by a competitor or a soft power anti italian machine ,the 500 electric is a huge success, 3rd electric car sold in Europe behind 2 tesla ,all your articles or almost are exaggeratedly pessimistic ,please rename your site .italbashing
All the Ferrari and Lamborghini articles are rather positive, and indeed those from Alfa, Maserati and Fiat from a more pessimistic angle. Do you know why? On the one hand, some brands are transparent about their figures; on the other, there's a smokescreen of percentages that mean nothing. These articles are there to set the record straight with figures that need research, not just relay brand press releases that aren't objective. We're independent, and you can rest assured that we'll continue to be, because if you don't want positive communication, all you have to do is subscribe to Stellantis media.
My dear Alexandre, I'm not surprised, but if you take a closer look at the automotive world, combustion engines are more popular than their electric counterparts, and many people regret buying an electric car, which adds another layer, whatever the brand.
I'd rather read something with a critical distance (without any bashing, the 500e test featured a UConnect system "ahead of the competition", "premium" assembly quality and pleasing roadholding), extensive testing over several days or months and really careful photography (congratulations) than things written by the kilometer and botched like on Caradisiac. In another style, we have Passione Auto Italiane, which washes out dozens of articles and videos full of speculation and a general lack of information... I'm waiting for an uncompromising test of the 600e! To return to the subject of the article, the price of the 500e will probably fall with the price of batteries (there's currently talk of considerable production overcapacity around the world) and the amortization of investments in Mirafiori. At this level (and considering the market share of BEVs currently peaking at 25%), I'm not surprised by the resistance of the thermal version...
We're going to try it again soon!
Let's get to work... the vacations are over 😉🤣
I don't think it's a knock-on problem, because an article has just appeared saying that 45% people who have bought an electric vehicle are disappointed because the technology is not yet perfect in many respects.
We wanted to go too fast, and we need to find a concept with the advantages of thermal.
I don't know what the miracle solution is, but it's not totally electric, that's for sure, except in the city.
An article based on a "study" itself based on 618 drivers surveyed is not serious... In another study of 1,440 EV drivers, 70% declared themselves satisfied. At the very least, we need a representative panel of several thousand users. Then there are EVs and EVs, those that charge very slowly (in 45 minutes) and those that go faster (in 20 minutes like the Grecale and the GranTurismo Folgore), the evolution of the network of charging stations and their availability, the ease of recharging, all of this has been evolving very rapidly over the last few months. Today, a premium or luxury EV is perfectly capable of covering distances of 300 km on freeways or 400 km on roads, so it meets most needs. Progress will now focus on increasing density and therefore reducing weight to improve handling.
Seriously Fredo, can you see yourself wasting 20 to 45 minutes filling up your car when with a combustion engine it takes you 5 minutes all in all?
Seriously Ced, can you see yourself driving to the gas pump when you can fill up at home? 😉
Sincerely Fredo, yes I'd rather take 5 minutes to fill up at a station where I can make 2 or 3 purchases on the way back than go to the trouble of charging a vacuum cleaner every night, but that's a matter of opinion.
In reality, the time it takes to get there, fill up, pay and get back, you spend more like twenty minutes there, but when you have a garage it's not at all a headache to plug your car into an electric socket and it takes thirty seconds 😉
Charging time doesn't take 30 seconds, especially at home Fredo.
When you get off work, you've got a commute to make, full or not.
Thank you for your sincere reply Alexandre,
but the famous italian autolesiosnismo doesn't need an exaggerated echo, I've been a loyal fan of alfa, maserati, fiat and lancia for 35 years, owning numerous models of each multi-world champion emblem in all categories, and each of my cars has fulfilled me.
I'm about to receive my a tonale 160 CV speciale option conduite autonome de niveau 2 and I have no doubt that it will satisfy me too.
Italian engineering has nothing to be ashamed of 😊 cf the 499 p at Le Mans and this Italian car bashing is not the prerogative of italpassion I agree but it's easier to feed off impressions than facts .
Forza ragazzi
I've owned practically all fiat cars for over 40 years. Very good cars. The next one will be a fiat, or perhaps an alfa for a change, to be seen.