Fiat CEO makes surprising visit to top-performing U.S. dealership [Video]

Fiat CEO makes surprising visit to top-performing U.S. dealership [Video]

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is anything but shy when it comes to making public appearances, and earlier this week he continued his trend by paying a visit to the first Fiat dealership to sell more than 100 cars in a month.

As we reported earlier, tiny Fiat of Austin, Texas, sold 110 Fiat 500s in April, shattering a sales record for the brand's U.S. showrooms. North American market parent Chrysler said that Fiat of Austin's sales department plucked unsold 500 inventory from other dealers across the country in order to feed hungry Austin buyers.

Marchionne's visit wasn't simply another executive visit to a dealership, however. Fiat of Austin sales chief Lisa Copeland and Fiat Brand North America head Tim Kuniskis made a bet that, if Copeland could top 100 sales, Fiat would set her up with a meeting with the celebrity of her choice. Copeland made the unexpected move of bypassing Hollywood glitter for Marchionne.



"No one was more surprised at her choice than I was,"� Marchionne said. "But this is one promise I was happy to keep, even if someone else made it for me."�

Forgoing his traditional black sweater for a more Central Texas-friendly polo shirt, Marchionne made good on the bet earlier this week by visiting the tiny showroom, which has emerged as something of an outlier in the world of mega dealers. Fiat of Austin is located in a mixed-use district, where it occupies retail space walking distance from various outdoor mall-type stores.

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