Fiat News: Sergio Marchionne Asks You To Pass On The Fiat 500e

[William Maley]

When was the last time you ever heard the CEO of a major automaker say don't buy our car? Never? Well Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' CEO Sergio Marchionne may be the first one.

Reuters reports that Marchionne told an audience at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C. last week that anyone considering the Fiat 500e should not buy it.

"I hope you don't buy it because every time I sell one it costs me $14,000. I'm honest enough to tell you that," said Marchionne. "I will sell the (minimum) of what I need to sell and not one more."

So why did FCA build the 500e in the first place then? It comes down to the California Air Resources Board mandate which requires the six automakers selling the most cars in the state to sell vehicles with no tailpipe emissions at all from 2012 through 2017. Vehicles such as the 500e are known as compliance vehicles.

Source: Reuters

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[ocnblu]

If anyone still does not believe that California is full of Looney Toons, I feel sorry for them. This is a MONUMENTAL waste of automakers' resources. RIDICULOUS and ASININE.

[yougojay]

I'm surprised he didn't say anyone considering buying a FIAT shouldn't buy one...

[A Horse With No Name]

I'm surprised he didn't say anyone considering buying a FIAT/Chrysler group product shouldn't buy one...

FTFY!

[David]

Funny for the repost of this, guess I should have posted my original on this in the Fiat news rather than the Italians.

http://www.cheersandgears.com/topic/83314-sergio-marchionne-says-do-not-buy-500e-we-loose-money/#entry745715

My question still stands, if Electric is so much better, then why do we not see more and better options for pure electric and yet CNG is growing with a ton of choices?

Second question is the debate over the green house gas production and the toxic waste from the battery creation. Is it better to produce these battery packs with their toxic waste from production and large initial green house gas output or burn some alternative fuel?

[FAPTurbo]

It's not the California government's fault that FIAT wasn't capable of building a cost-effective electric car. This is entirely FIAT's problem and Sergio is too embarrassed to admit it. They're the ones who made a $33K subcompact.

Tesla and Nissan are making money on their electric cars. FIAT is just bad at business.

[David]

It's not the California government's fault that FIAT wasn't capable of building a cost-effective electric car. This is entirely FIAT's problem and Sergio is too embarrassed to admit it. They're the ones who made a $33K subcompact.

Tesla and Nissan are making money on their electric cars. FIAT is just bad at business.

Totally agree with this, it is only a matter of time before the union controlled FIAT will die. They are terrible quality controlled products forced on the world to just accept and deal with it.

[A Horse With No Name]

It's not the California government's fault that FIAT wasn't capable of building a cost-effective electric car. This is entirely FIAT's problem and Sergio is too embarrassed to admit it. They're the ones who made a $33K subcompact.

Tesla and Nissan are making money on their electric cars. FIAT is just bad at business.

Totally agree with this, it is only a matter of time before the union controlled FIAT will die. They are terrible quality controlled products forced on the world to just accept and deal with it.

One has to wonder what sane person wants a car the size of a golf cart with the crash worthy ness of a brown paper bag.

[David]

It's not the California government's fault that FIAT wasn't capable of building a cost-effective electric car. This is entirely FIAT's problem and Sergio is too embarrassed to admit it. They're the ones who made a $33K subcompact.

Tesla and Nissan are making money on their electric cars. FIAT is just bad at business.

Totally agree with this, it is only a matter of time before the union controlled FIAT will die. They are terrible quality controlled products forced on the world to just accept and deal with it.

One has to wonder what sane person wants a car the size of a golf cart with the crash worthy ness of a brown paper bag.

No one that values quality of life of loved ones, friends and family would risk people in these subcompacts. For all the Green tree huggers that talk about saving the world, what is the price you put on the life of a loved one or what I would call quality of life in living if you have to be in a wheel chair or rely on others to do things for you.

[ocnblu]

I am sure an all-electric Durango would just be such a smashing success.

[A Horse With No Name]

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

[2QuickZ's]

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

Alright, I can obviously sense you are a FCA hater from your many, many posts but you are just plain wrong on the Durango. Wrong, wrong, wrong. It is consistently rated very well by all the car mags, FCA is selling quite a few of them and everybody I know that has one LOVES it. That includes my sister-in-law (pre-refresh 2013) and my parents (post refresh 2014). Perhaps you haven't been in one made since 2011? I personally wouldn't touch one made before that but 2011+ models are very nice.

There are a number of FCA products you could rightfully refer to as a disaster but the current Durango is not one of them.

[regfootball]

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

Not a FCA fan here ......we should have saved Pontiac and Saturn

Durango might be an ok drive but it sure is dull inside and out

I think I'd trust vw before Chrysler

[A Horse With No Name]

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

Not a FCA fan here ......we should have saved Pontiac and Saturn

Durango might be an ok drive but it sure is dull inside and out

I think I'd trust vw before Chrysler

Pretty much this.

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

Alright, I can obviously sense you are a FCA hater from your many, many posts but you are just plain wrong on the Durango. Wrong, wrong, wrong. It is consistently rated very well by all the car mags, FCA is selling quite a few of them and everybody I know that has one LOVES it. That includes my sister-in-law (pre-refresh 2013) and my parents (post refresh 2014). Perhaps you haven't been in one made since 2011? I personally wouldn't touch one made before that but 2011+ models are very nice.

There are a number of FCA products you could rightfully refer to as a disaster but the current Durango is not one of them.

In all fairness to Chryselr, no I have not been in one post 2011. Maybe I will check one out.

Edited May 29, 2014 by A Horse With No Name

[David]

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

WRONG - Do not pass go, Do not collect $200. The Durango had problems as a full size for the second generation but the first and the 3rd or current Durango are a success and this was way before Fiat really got involved. After this generation then you can blame Fiat if the Durango go south. But right now the current Durango and if they built a Hybrid like the Volt on the Durango would be a success.

[2QuickZ's]

Not a FCA fan here ......we should have saved Pontiac and Saturn

Durango might be an ok drive but it sure is dull inside and out

I think I'd trust vw before Chrysler

Well, I owned a 2007 Saturn Aura and a 2008 Saturn Vue when GM announced they were folding the brand and I have always been a big Pontiac fan so I wasn't thrilled when they were both killed. I guess I could also throw in that I have had three 2005+ Saab's, including a 2007 9-5 when they sold Saab. Apparently my interest in a GM brand helps kill it. lol Let's hope my Cruze purchase doesn't lead to the death of Chevrolet.

All kidding aside, though, I think it was right to kill those two brands as opposed to all of Chrysler. Chrysler going under would have put a lot more people out of work than two brands dying plus I am a firm believer having fewer brands will make GM stronger. Much like you (and many other people) I was surprised they picked Buick over Pontiac but all I can say about that is... China.

Do you really think the Durango is dull inside and out? To each their own, I guess. I personally feel it is one of the better looking SUV's on the market right now. The interior isn't as nice as the GC's but it's still pretty nice. Out of curiosity, what do you like better for the price?

In all fairness to Chryselr, no I have not been in one post 2011. Maybe I will check one out.

As dfelt stated the current generation GC and Durango were actually started under Cerberus. They both are huge improvements over their predecessors IMO and the MY14 refresh enhanced them both even more. If you are bored one day, you may want to swing by your local dealership and check a Durango out. You may still hate it but I wouldn't be surprised if you wound up liking it. Either way, it is always fun to stop at the dealership and check new cars out!

[A Horse With No Name]

Let me clarify hate...I used to work with a guy named Tony who was a huge Cowboys fan, he just loved Dallas. We worked together for several years and I gave him crap about the Cowboys every single day...but also loved him like a brother.

I do not mean to offend. Perhaps a better way of putting things would just be to say that I am frustrated by some Chrysler products that don't quite seem to get it all the way right. Followed a sweetly detailed 300C home tonight, thought of this thread.

I will work on having a more open mind and being less negative. There are plenty of negative people on other forums...I will stop being an ass here.

...and I will have to check out that Durango!

[2QuickZ's]

Let me clarify hate...I used to work with a guy named Tony who was a huge Cowboys fan, he just loved Dallas. We worked together for several years and I gave him crap about the Cowboys every single day...but also loved him like a brother.

I do not mean to offend. Perhaps a better way of putting things would just be to say that I am frustrated by some Chrysler products that don't quite seem to get it all the way right. Followed a sweetly detailed 300C home tonight, thought of this thread.

I will work on having a more open mind and being less negative. There are plenty of negative people on other forums...I will stop being an ass here.

...and I will have to check out that Durango!

I don't get offended by your comments and I don't think you were being an ass! You are entitled to your opinions even if folks don't agree with them. Like I said, there are still a number of FCA products that deserve to be picked on. I just think you picked on the wrong one! I really do think you will like the latest generation(or at least have a much more positive impression) if you check one out.

IMO pretty much every automaker makes at least one product that deserves a little bashing.

[Drew Dowdell]

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

The latest Durango is great. I just took one on a 450 mile trip and averaged 28.6 mpg from the V6/8-speed/RWD

[A Horse With No Name]

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

The latest Durango is great. I just took one on a 450 mile trip and averaged 28.6 mpg from the V6/8-speed/RWD

Wow.

[David]

Let me clarify hate...I used to work with a guy named Tony who was a huge Cowboys fan, he just loved Dallas. We worked together for several years and I gave him crap about the Cowboys every single day...but also loved him like a brother.

I do not mean to offend. Perhaps a better way of putting things would just be to say that I am frustrated by some Chrysler products that don't quite seem to get it all the way right. Followed a sweetly detailed 300C home tonight, thought of this thread.

I will work on having a more open mind and being less negative. There are plenty of negative people on other forums...I will stop being an ass here.

...and I will have to check out that Durango!

I don't get offended by your comments and I don't think you were being an ass! You are entitled to your opinions even if folks don't agree with them. Like I said, there are still a number of FCA products that deserve to be picked on. I just think you picked on the wrong one! I really do think you will like the latest generation(or at least have a much more positive impression) if you check one out.

IMO pretty much every automaker makes at least one product that deserves a little bashing.

Totally agree with this, I also do not think you or anyone is being an ass, just the wrong product chosen. All Auto Companies have bad products, the Durango right now is a pretty sharp solid SUV./CUV

Given their product development, Fiat/Chrysler should consider making pot holders or gardening tools rather than automobiles. A Durango is pretty much a disaster, electric or gas powered.

The latest Durango is great. I just took one on a 450 mile trip and averaged 28.6 mpg from the V6/8-speed/RWD

Very cool to hear about the awesome Mileage.

Also Cool Avatar Pic!