The Fiat 500 got off to a slow start in the United States - with sales lagging behind initial expectations - but the 500's latest performance variant, the 500 Abarth , is proving to be one hot-selling hot hatch.
In fact, Chrysler says it is completely sold out of the 500 Abarth for the 2012 model year. A few examples remain on dealer lots throughout the country, but anyone looking to special order the Abarth will have to wait until the 2013 model year. The 2013 500 Abarths are slated to begin rolling off the assembly line in September, according to.
Launched in April, Chrysler only planned to build 1,000 units of Fiat 500 Abarthfor the 2012 model year. However, Chrysler received that many orders before the Abarth even hit dealer lots, prompting the automaker to boost production to 3,000 units. Chrysler could probably sell twice that many this year, but the 500's Toluca, Mexico plant simply doesn't have the capacity to build any more units.
"Dealer orders for the Abarth, the ultimate high-performance small car, exceeded the production run of this model for the 2012 model year," Chrysler said in a statement.
Sales of the 500 Abarth helped Fiat to a whopping 432 percent sales increase in the U.S.last month.
Photos by Mark Elias.
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