The Fiat 500 at the 2011 Toronto Auto Show: Readers Report

Fiat Canada has a strong presence this year at the 2011 Canadian International Auto Show held in Toronto, February 18 thru the 27. The Fiat 500 display is a highlight of the auto show.

A friend of this blog has sent us a report on the Toronto Auto Show. He goes by the user name of peterjerome and has contributed content and pictures to this site on numerous occasions. I would like to thank him for the following post he sent me.

Hello Chris

Here is a little report and photo collection from the Toronto Car Show. As you will see FIAT did a good job of their presentation.



Though you may be surprised to know it, one of the six major International Car Shows in the world is the one that is taking place right now in Toronto Canada. It runs from the 18th to 27th and officials are expecting over 300,000 visitors in that time. FIAT has put together a very impressive display, for what has to be one of their most important markets.



Toronto's metropolitan area has the better part of six million people, with one and half million of them considering themselves to be of Italian origin. Canada in general is very large market for fuel efficient cars, due to our higher costs for gasoline. I read somewhere that Laura Soave and Sergio Marchionne have made a bet as to which country (United States or Canada respectively) will purchase more 500s, notwithstanding the fact that there are ten times as many people south of the 49th parallel. Lastly Mr. Marchionne grew up in Toronto.



The FIAT presentation is very impressive. In an area where the majority of the visitors will enter the show is a display of ten 500s. Close by is the Galleria FIAT with a Sport and Lounge model that are getting a lot of "butts on" visits.



The representatives at the booth are salespeople from local dealerships who are reasonably knowledgeable. The trademark women in white dresses are there for photo shoots. There are also designer couches done in white leather to rest one's weary feet.



From what I can see from the US and Canadian websites, our Pop model is $500 more expensive than the US version, but is also missing speed control and air conditioning. Our Sport is $1000 dearer than the US version. The Lounge models seem similarly equipped and priced. On the US website the Sport and Lounge boast a BOSE premium sound system which seems to have been removed at Canada Customs as well. Thankfully air conditioning can be added to the Pop for only $175 and the BOSE speakers come in at $350. Still the overall price differences must have something to do with retribution for Olympic hockey.



The rest of the show is very good. There is a display called Concorso Exotica. In it are a Nuova 500, an Abarth 600, a Lamborghini Miura S and Countach, an Alfa Giulietta Sprint, and a gaggle of Ferraris, including a 250 GT, a Daytona, a Dino, and an Enzo. If you are in the area in the next little while I suggest a visit.

Visit the 2011 Toronto Auto Show Photo Gallery
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Thanks peterjerome for the report!
-Chris

Canadian Fiat 500 unveiled

The much anticipated Canadian edition of the Fiat 500 was unveiled at the Montreal International Auto Show. The show, which runs from January 14-23, featured two Lounge models and gave Canadians their first views of the updated North American 500.

The Fiat 500 is sure to be hit in Canada, where a high value is placed on efficient, well engineered vehicles. Want proof? Last October, the first Canadian 500 Prima Edizione was auctioned off for $85,000 at a charity event. Then in November, the remaining 499 Prima Ediziones were offered for online sale and were all sold out within 12 hours.




Check out the Fiat Canada website for a list of dealers and show events. Fiat Canada website

Photos courtesy of Chrysler Media

First Fiat 500 sold in Canada sells for $85,000

Winning bidder Ralph Chiodo (second from right) with his son-in-law Danny Diamantakos (far left), Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America, and Reid Bigland, Chrysler Canada President and CEO (far right) at the Venetian Ball on October 16, 2010.

We knew the Fiat 500 is the darling of celebrities and has the style and presence to pull off being a loaner car for Ferrari dealers in Europe. Now add to that the ability to command big money.

Canada's first Fiat 500 was auctioned at Toronto's Venetian Ball and sold for $85,000. Proceeds from the Venetian Ball go to Villa Charities, a charity that cares for Italian-Canadian citizens in the Toronto area.




*Canada's First Fiat 500 Auctioned at Toronto's Venetian Ball
*Very first Fiat 500 in Canada sells for $85,000
*Fiat Cinquecento (500) Prima Edizione is a collector vehicle with unique numbered badge - "Numero Uno"
*A total of 500 Prima Edizione vehicles will be offered for sale in Canada

Annual Venetian Ball benefits Villa Charities


October 17, 2010 , Windsor, Ontario -

Chrysler Canada on Saturday evening donated Canada's first Fiat 500 to the live auction at Toronto's 17th annual Venetian Ball. The ball was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with all proceeds benefiting Villa Charities.

"The enthusiastic bidding for this iconic vehicle, and the fact that it sold for $85,000, underscore the excitement and interest the Fiat 500 has generated since Fiat's return to Canada was first announced," said Ed Broadbear, Vice President of Marketing - Chrysler Canada.

�Chrysler Canada and Fiat are proud to donate Canada's very first Fiat 500 to support Villa Charities," said Reid Bigland, Chrysler Canada President and CEO. �Thanks to the alliance between our two companies, the feeling of kinship with the vibrant Italian-Canadian community has strengthened and we are pleased to be a part of this wonderful event."

The "Numero Uno" is the first in a series of 500 limited edition vehicles which will feature a unique Prima Edizione sequential badge according to production order. The Fiat 500 Prima Edizione will be exclusively available in three colors: Bianco (White), Rosso (Red) and Grigio (Gray).

The modern generation of the Fiat 500 will be introduced in North America at the end of 2010 and will offer customers uncompromising safety, fuel efficiency from its 1.4-liter MultiAir� four-cylinder engine, individualization options, quality and advanced technology. This vehicle combines the best of European engineering and Italian style. It also is tangible evidence of Fiat�s commitment to fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. In fact, Fiat has the lowest average CO2 emissions of any automaker in Europe.

Chrysler Canada, its employees and dealers have a long history of giving back to the communities where they live and work. Chrysler Canada's charitable giving supports a variety of organizations across Canada each year.

About Villa Charities

Since its formation in 1971 to provide culturally sensitive care for an elderly Italian-Canadian population, Villa Charities has extended its mandate to include support for individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Building on its rich Italian-Canadian heritage, and by living life with Italian passion, the Villa Charities family of organizations has grown to include Villa Colombo Services for Seniors, Columbus Centre, VITA Community Living Services, Mens Sana and Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre. Recognizing its relevance across generations, Villa Charities is launching new initiatives to promote quality of life, health and wellness, youth engagement, the creation of new knowledge and investment in new technologies. For more information, visit www.villacharities.com.

About Chrysler Canada

Founded as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925, Chrysler Canada Inc. is based in Windsor, Ontario, and celebrates its 85th anniversary in 2010. Chrysler Canada's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Dodge Grand Caravan, Jeep� Wrangler and Chrysler 300.

Chrysler Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, one of the world's leading automotive companies. Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram Truck and Mopar� vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler�s culture of innovation � first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 � and Fiat�s complementary technology � from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles well-suited to Canadian customer needs.

Corporate Website: http://www.chryslercanada.ca

First new Fiat dealer website launched in North America...

Gauthier Automotive Group of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada has just launched what looks like the first new Fiat dealership website in North America. Called fiatbrochure.com, it shows what the proposed Gauthier Fiat dealership facility will look like.



They have also launched a YouTube channel called fiatbrochure. Be sure to check both sites out!


Potential Fiat dealers submitted dealership proposals to Fiat North America for evaluation last month (you can read more about Fiat dealership requirements here). The selected dealers will be announced during September.

Photo Credit: www.fiatbrochure.com

Got Canadian Bike Flair?

by raptortheangel.

You could never accuse this man of not having enough flair on his bike, with enough windmills to make a little on the side from PG&E. Photo was taken in Queen Alexandra, Edmonton, AB, Canada, the hat says it all.

GP Limo - Formula Racing Car for Six

This GP Limo, Formula Racing Car for Six was created by Mike Pettipas from Canada. Now you can have the feeling of racing without having to actually do all the work. Sit back strap in and enjoy the bugs at 250 mph.

via Autoblog

Pedal Powered Buick Art Car gets puled over by cops

Artist Michel de Broin, is the creator of this pedal-powered 1986 Buick Regal art car, outfitted with 4 independent pedal and gear mechanisms. This was an art piece that was being exhibited at the Mercer Union Gallery (24 October - 8 December).The video was taken in downtown Toronto, Canada, when they decided to take to take out for a spin. All was going well until the cops pulled these guys over for dangerous pedaling. The funny part is that the cop wanted to look under the hood for some strange reason, unfortunately for them they could not produce an engine and the right paperwork. And in the end were stuck with an expensive towing bill