Fiat came into North America with one car, its new 500 subcompact. As sales plummeted the company tried to entice customers with a standard turbocharger, to no avail, and today the 500X is Fiat’s sole car—the 500L and 124 Spider both having disappeared as well.
Fiat is due to show a new car at the Los Angeles car show this month, and given that the LA show is mainly given to electric-car launches, it’s possible it will be the new-generation electric 500 already selling in Europe. That car, a bit larger than the last 500 and thoroughly re-engineered, could be the first Chrysler/FCA US battery-electric sold in the United States since the end of the 1990s’ electric minivans. If not, the first BEV is likely to be a version of the ProMaster already on sale in Europe.
Pictured: Fiat 500e electric car