Sales of the Fiat 500X fell by two thirds over 2016, prompting Fiat to usher in a series of tweaks to the small SUV for 2018.
In 2016, the brand sold 14,224 examples of the model, but this tumbled to 4814 in 2017, a collapse of 66%.
In response, Fiat has clipped the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine from the 500X line-up, leaving four engines remaining: the 1.4-litre Multiair and 1.6-litre E-torQ petrols and the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre Multijet diesels.
Prices have been cut across the range, with the range-topping 2.0-litre Cross model taking a £1400 drop. An increase of £120 has been applied to bottom-rung Pop trim, however.
In addition, the higher-spec Lounge and Cross Plus trim levels have been pruned from the line-up, leaving Pop, Pop Star, Mirror and Cross.
Cross brings more rugged styling and the range-topping 2.0-litre engine.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring are now standard across the board, while the 5.0in infotainment touchscreen has been upgraded to a 7.0in unit.
Explaining the cuts, a Fiat spokesman said: “The 2018 500X range includes greater connectivity as standard. Pricing and trim levels across the range have been streamlined to simplify the offering for customers.”
Last year's sales drop was unexpected for Fiat; the 500X is the only SUV in the brand's line-up in the midst of an SUV market boom, while the 500 continues to sell strongly despite a mild Europe-wide decline in the city car market.
It's also likely that the 500X range has been trimmed to accommodate the upcoming WLTP fuel economy and emissions testing procedure, under which every spec of a model must be separately tested.
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xxxx
A rose is still a ...
The worst model name for a grown up family car ever, "Pop Star". The shame!
If it wasn't for the 500 I don't think Fiat would exist
Hydrogen cars just went POP
catnip
I was talking to a Fiat
I was talking to a Fiat dealer when the 500X was introduced and he said they were struggling to sell them as "people didn't expect to pay that much for a Fiat". Maybe this realignment will sort that out. I thought I'd read recently that sales of the 500 were slowing too, but maybe thats at a slower rate than the (apparent) decline in the city car market.
Thekrankis
Fiat Jeep conflict?
I wonder if there is an internal conflict within Fiat about competing with Jeep suv’s?
Certainly Fiat don’t seem to be marketing this suv very well.
amble
Not surprised
My wife sat in one last November in the showroom and showed sufficient interest that would have once had car sales types excitedly hunting for test drive keys. Not this time, we had to pry the salesman away from his desk. When we did he knew so little about the car and was so passive about a potential test drive we left and read the reviews (which quickly killed off any 500x thoughts).
If that’s how deals are done these days they’re doomed!
the instigator
Fiat needs a paint job!
According to Fiat's UK configurator, the 500x (Cross or the other one) is available in 4 pastel solid shades of which 1 is free in sludge cappucino (£0) the dull others (£350); 3 metallic (£500) and one lipstick red (£1000). And this on a £26k AWD car too!
Even if I wanted to buy one I would be so insulted to have to pay extra for a paint job, let alone not have anything nice apart from the metallic blue to choose from, I would be gone in a flash! The same goes for the 500L too.
All the creativity and marketing in Fiat is poured in to the 500/500c (dozen or more paint colours, inspirational trim choices), so if anyone in Fiat HQ is surprised by the lack of sales they need to wake up and start "smelling what they is peddling" !!!
Che cazzo fate Marchionne !!! ... you can do better, and you should.
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