[Coops]

So it looks like the Mini will have yet another rival to compete with in 2020. Fiat has just announced they will be selling a fully electric variant of the 500 city car. There was no mentioned of the battery or range that it will provide, but consider its smaller city and limited space, its likely to have less range than the new Leaf.

 

[Greenie]

I'm not familiar with Fiat so their battery development could be more advance than Mini for all we know, squeezing more charge in a smaller battery. The 500 would pose a challenge when it comes to size, but it'll come down to performance, what's offered and cost. We're still waiting for the Mini EV's reveal.
Hopefully we'll see a range around 200 miles per charge, but something like 155 mile is more realistic at this point.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

This is much in line with what FCA has planned for the rest of its EV-ready products. Jeep for example is planning for 4 Jeep electric products.

More about it can be found here:

https://electrek.co/2018/06/01/fca-new-all-electric-vehicles-jeep-maserati-models/

 

[Tandy]

I'm pretty sure the 500e is going to be restricted to the UK though, so the upcoming Mini EV wont have to compete with it in NA at least. I don't foresee it getting much more than 100 miles of range however, considering how small it is.

 

[Greenie]

Fiat also plans to roll out other power trains besides the "city car" version. There's also going to be a "mainstream," "performance," and "premium" EV powertrain but they may not all appear in the 500.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

I'm pretty sure the 500e is going to be restricted to the UK though, so the upcoming Mini EV wont have to compete with it in NA at least. I don't foresee it getting much more than 100 miles of range however, considering how small it is.

Exactly what I thought. The American markets culture is not nearly as primed as the European market for compacts such as the Mini EV although it will sell at smaller numbers.
Americans want glorified wagons aka CUV's.

 

[Coops]

Its not just Europe but also Asia, where these more compact EV models are becoming increasingly popular. It makes way more sense in more densely populated countries to owner a smaller and more maneuverable vehicle. Their electric infrastructure is also far more advanced than own our, so range restrictions aren't as big of a factor.

 

[Greenie]

Maybe the 500e will have a chance in pro-electrification States, but everyone else want the best of both worlds, large car with long range. That's why we're getting things like the I-Pace and the Audi e-tron.

 

[Tandy]

The 500e wont be offered outside of the UK, so Fiat obviously recognizes that this model is only going to be popular in more dense metropolitan areas. I do hope they are able to deliver better range than the Fortwo though, because they aren't too different in size.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

We should be on the look out for where else FCA could be using its tech. Alfa Romeo is a brand they're pushing hard that so far hasn't seen a compact EV. IMO, its the best brand they have to take on this powertain or something similar.

 

[Coops]

I believe Alfa has indicated that they will be releasing both the 8C and a two door Giulia based sports car, as EV's. All of their SUV's will be available as a plug in hybrid and their whole line up will be electrified by 2022. Alfa has done an incredible job adapting to the changes in the auto industry.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

I hope they have plans for a hatch of some sort or just something that sits under the Stelvio. Its lucrative segment that they shouldn't miss out on.

 

[Tandy]

It was surprising that Alfa didn't decide to offer the Giulietta here in North America, especially considering all the interest in hatchbacks as of late. Its also one of the cheaper Alfa models, with prices starting around £20,405 for the base model.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

It was surprising that Alfa didn't decide to offer the Giulietta here in North America, especially considering all the interest in hatchbacks as of late. Its also one of the cheaper Alfa models, with prices starting around £20,405 for the base model.

Launching a brand in the most competitive market has its challenges and if they move too quick it can have major consequences that could lead to an entire pull out and billions wasted. Alfa is progressing well enough to me.

 

[Coops]

I think once they have properly established themselves in North America, that they will definitely consider expanding the availability of models that are offered elsewhere. I agree that the Giulietta is an impressive looking hatch, but there are some steep competitors in that segment.

 

[Tandy]

Seeing as how they are already expanding upon the Giulia, with a new two door performance variant, I'm sure its only a matter of time before they offer more vehicles from their lineup here in NA. With the Focus RS gone, there's room in the hot hatch segment for a new rival.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

Something more a long the lines of a GLA and BMW X2 is what I want to see. Its a booming segment and the next best thing to happen is an even more driver focused version. Giulla already paved the way for this, this is the next step.

 

[Coops]

Alfa has already mentioned that they have plans for a new compact SUV as well as a new full size by 2022. They apparently also hope to redesign the Giulietta, though it hasn't been confirmed on whether or not it will be available in North America.

 

[MiniFootPrint]

Couldn't be happier to hear that's happening because there's not much else they have to do.
No other platform to base it off of than the Giulia. Down the road it could prove to be a vital product to the brands growth on a global scale.