AN AUTOMAKER has been forced to halt an electric vehicle’s production due to poor sales – but fans say the car was never popular in the first place.
Stellantis extended the production pause on the electric Fiat 500 small car after it was only supposed to last for four weeks.
A pink Fiat 500e[/caption]
An orange Fiat 500e[/caption]
The carmaker’s Fiat brand sells two vehicles – the 500X crossover and the 500e EV.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares announced last month that production was pausing on the small electric city car for four weeks due to weak sales.
“The measure is necessary due to the current lack of orders linked to the deep difficulties experienced in the European electric market by all producers, particularly the European ones,” the company said in a statement at the time, according to Reuters.
Now, Tavares revealed the suspension, which started on September 13, is extended until November 1.
Car lovers are slamming the company on social media and claiming that demand for the 500e was never enough to keep it going.
“Let’s be honest: there was never ‘demand’ for the Fiat 500e,” one X user wrote.
“Marchionne said they only built it as a compliance car, and that they lost around $14K on every one they sold,” they claimed.
The post references when former Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne complained about the expensive 500e cars in 2014, according to Reuters.
“I hope you don’t buy it because every time I sell one it costs me $14,000,” he said to a crowd of potential buyers at the time.
“I’m honest enough to tell you that.”
It’s unclear if the vehicles still cost that much ten years later after Fiat temporarily discontinued the 500 from the US market in 2019 and focused on selling the vehicles in the European market.
The brand announced in 2022 that the 2024 500e would be sold in America and marketed as a city car.
“Why would anyone demand for Fiat 500e lol. I would go for mg4 instead,” another slammed on X last month.
The weak sales come as Tavares said earlier this year that lowered prices and slowed productions from EV makers risked an industry “bloodbath,” which is what he said he’d like to avoid.
Electric vehicles vs gas
Pros and cons of EVs vs gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
- Convenient (when charging at home)
- Cheaper (depending on state or city)
- Cheaper maintenance, due to lack of mechanical parts
- Great for commuting
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Federal and state tax incentives
- More performance (speed, handling – depending on the make and model)
EV CONS:
- Higher initial cost
- Higher insurance rates
- More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals
- Higher curb weight (thus causing more rapid wear on crucial parts)
- Low resale value
- High depreciation rates
- Lack of charging infrastructure
- Unreliable public charging (related: slow charging times)
- Poor winter and summer performance
- Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources
- Range anxiety
GAS PROS:
- Highly developed refueling infrastructure
- Fast refueling
- Cheaper insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Established repair industry
- Lower initial cost
- Higher range before refueling, especially with hybrids
- Many manufacturers produce nearly emission-less engines
- Cheaper refueling, depending on the location
GAS CONS:
- Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on petroleum)
- Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases
- Higher repair costs
- Higher insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Varying costs at the pump, depending on state, city, and county
Source: Car & Driver, Perch Energy, AutoWeek
The 500e has a starting price of just over $32,000 as it directly competes with bigger vehicles in America.
‘DEEP TROUBLE’
The car is made at Stellantis’ plant in Turin, which is located in northern Italy.
According to Reuters, Stellantis reportedly told trade unions that the European electric car market is “in deep trouble.”
Tavares is set to address the Italian parliament about the production stoppage on October 11.
The CEO plans “to provide the most exhaustive picture of the group’s automotive production in Italy,” a statement shared with Reuters said.
“The complex international and European situation of the automotive sector requires rapid responses,” the message added.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Stellantis for comment.
The carmaker also reportedly has plans for a 500 hybrid coming in 2026, but it’s unclear if the model will make it to the US.
