The Mrs. and I were out after enjoying the awesome weather today in the area with our Z and we stopped by the Studio and had a chat with the sales manager. I asked if business was good and he responded that things were picking up. I said, "It must be due to the rising price of gas". He responded, "No, its actually the commercials since the Super Bowl". The marketing by FIAT to promote the Abarth has really peaked the interest of folks and they are now coming into the studio to learn more. He has 4 Abarth allocated not including the demo Abarth I am purchasing on order. There are a total of 13 additional orders he is waiting to place. According to him, FIAT will allow five more orders to be placed in May. He says FIAT is trying to keep the number of Abarths low to keep the exclusive with the notion they will continue to increase production as required.
Some Studios are now asking for more than MSRP to the tune of 3K more and in some areas even more. My Studio is not and I'm glad he is not. He'll get the business and make the money by volume of sales vice the markup others are asking. They are currently tied with one other Studio in the area for total sales this year. Not sure how that compares to overall sales in the U.S.
Anyhow, looks like the marketing of the Abarth has worked for FIAT and there will be additional sales of the 500 generated just from that buzz getting people into the studios. I believe FIAT has sold 5,000 in just the first two months of 2012 when they only sold 20000 in a short 2011 sales period. With gas prices climbing, it certainly won't hurt.
Some Studios are now asking for more than MSRP to the tune of 3K more and in some areas even more. My Studio is not and I'm glad he is not. He'll get the business and make the money by volume of sales vice the markup others are asking. They are currently tied with one other Studio in the area for total sales this year. Not sure how that compares to overall sales in the U.S.
Anyhow, looks like the marketing of the Abarth has worked for FIAT and there will be additional sales of the 500 generated just from that buzz getting people into the studios. I believe FIAT has sold 5,000 in just the first two months of 2012 when they only sold 20000 in a short 2011 sales period. With gas prices climbing, it certainly won't hurt.