Fiat appears to have a very odd rule for its American dealers: they can never have more than one product for sale simultaneously.
As the 500e electric car arrives, Car and Driver reports that Fiat will cancel the 500X subcompact SUV that was Fiat’s only 2023 American product.
We’ve contacted Fiat for confirmation, but we don’t doubt the report is accurate. Fiat CEO Olivier Francois said last year that the company would not replace the 500X when it came to the end of its lifecycle.
And it seems the end has come for the 500X. Parent company Stellantis builds two cars on the same platform – the 500X and the Jeep Renegade. Jeep announced the end of Renegade production this week. The 500X shares many parts with the Renegade, so we’re not surprised to see the Fiat follow the Jeep to oblivion.
The 500X has found little purchase in the American market. Our inventory numbers show that dealers had more than a 120-day supply of the little SUVs in stock last month. That’s more than twice the inventory they aim for.
But that could mean a buying opportunity if you’re interested in the pint-sized Italian.
Our test drivers like its “charming Italian style” and standard all-wheel drive. It sits near the bottom of our list of the best subcompact SUVs. But its low position is partly due to its high price, and that’s less of a factor than ever.
The average 500X is already selling under the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), and dealers often accept lower bids for models that have been publicly canceled.
