The launch of the Fiat 500 in the U.S. market has whetted the Italian company’s appetite, as according to reports, Fiat is now considering the addition of a second model to its North-American range, the successor to the Bravo. As we wrote last month, the next-generation Bravo will take the shape of a small crossover with Fiat looking to emulate the success of Nissan’s Qashqai.
The 500‘s early sales figures have exceeded the firm’s expectations despite initial concerns about relaunching the Fiat brand in the U.S. with such a small car. The partially open-top 500C was added to the range recently, with more powerful Abarth versions to follow in the very near future.
According to Laura Soave, head of Fiat brand North America, the company is now planning a larger model but it will make sure not to compete with Chrysler models.
“Fiat will be the small car brand. It will never have anything larger than a C-segment,” Soave told UK’s Autocar magazine. In other words, Fiat won’t sell cars bigger than the Bravo, so it’s safe to say that the larger car will be the replacement for Fiat’s current C-segment model. One thing is for sure: the future model “will not be a traditional offering,” as pointed out by Fiat Group boss Sergio Marchionne who also promised a radical approach for the car.
Soave added that the Alfa Romeo brand will return to the U.S. (again…) with the 4C sports car, as the Giulia’s launch has been delayed because Marchionne rejected the car’s styling.
By Dan Mihalascu
* Current Fiat Bravo pictured in the photo above and the gallery bellow
PHOTO GALLERY
