Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced a handful of updates to their 2020 lineup this weekend, but there was one notable absence – any mention of a 2020 Fiat 500.
While that automaker detailed the 2020 500L, 500X and 124 Spider, they didn’t have anything to say about the 500. Autoblog reports there’s a good reason for this as all versions of the 500 are being dropped in the United States.
That remains unconfirmed but, when Jalopnik reached out for confirmation, a spokesperson declined to comment. That’s a tad unusual, as most automakers are quick to dismiss rumors about a model’s death. That could mean the 500 lineup is indeed being dropped, but nothing is official as of yet.
If FCA did decide to eliminate the 500, it wouldn’t be too surprising as the model’s popularity has seriously declined in the past few years. According to Carsalesbase data, sales peaked at 43,772 units in the United States in 2012. They have fallen every year since then and 2018 sales were a dismal 5,370 units.
2019 is looking even worse as the company has only moved 1,692 units through June. If that trend continues, the company will only sell 3,384 cars this year.
The numbers are appalling by any stretch of the imagination and they’re inching closer to Smart ForTwo territory. Smart sold 6,211 units in 2016 and another 3,071 in 2017. However, those numbers plummeted to 1,276 units in 2018 after going electric-only. The massive drop caused Smart to throw in the towel and it appears Fiat is doing the same.
Regardless, the 2020 500X will be offered with a newly available black roof. Likewise, the 2020 124 Spider gains a new “Scorpion Sting” side-stripe and hood decal package. The 2020 Fiat 500L, on the other hand, appears to carry over without any changes.
If Fiat does drop the 500, it’s curious that the 500L gets to live. US sales were a laughable 1,276 units last year and the company has only moved 399 units through June.
