The Fiat 124 Spider will not have a worthy successor

The Italian brand, part of the FCA group, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, has assured that it will not replace the Fiat 124 Spider when its lifecycle ends, as the brand may be seeking a reinvention of its current range. The sports car based on the Mazda MX-5 is not profitable according to the brand itself.

Earlier this week, Oliver François, executive chairman, revealed that the company will focus much of its energy in the future on expanding its city car business and growing the Fiat 500 family. The executive went on to say that Fiat will not develop large vehicles, premium cars or sports cars, apparently ruling out the possibility of a worthy successor to the Fiat 124 Spider.

During a recent interview, Oliver François stated that, while the Fiat 124 Spider is profitable, it is not particularly important for the future of the Italian carmaker. “The Fiat 124 Spider market is a niche. It is a profitable business for us, but only through the joint venture,” he said. “It was an opportunity and we seized it. Making money and adding a certain cool factor, but I accept that such a car may not be key to the future of the brand. It is not what I would call a pure and absolute Fiat, but for now, it remains an interesting opportunity.”

Earlier this year, the British branch of Fiat announced that it would stop selling both the Fiat 124 Spider and the Abarth 124 Spider, claiming it was not making money from the two sports cars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foiya-f9l-4

Goodbye to the Fiat 124 Spider and the Abarth 124 Spider?

Sales of the Fiat 124 Spider have never been particularly strong. In 2017, only 7,800 units were sold across Europe. We suspect some buyers were put off by the fact that the Fiat 124 Spider costs more than the Mazda MX-5 despite being essentially the same car with minor design changes and a different engine.

Earlier this year, the Fiat 124 Spider bowed out of the UK market. Could this be a precursor to the decision not to build a worthy successor to the model at the end of its lifecycle? Everything points to factors beyond sales having played a part, such as the engine options. In the UK’s case, it was offered with a turbocharged 1.4-litre MultiAir engine that was unable to meet the WLTP emissions cycle regulations, which led the carmaker to drop the engine for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Jeep Renegade as well.

While the entry-level Fiat 124 Spider is no longer offered, buyers can still opt for the Abarth 124 Spider, at least for now. This variant uses a version derived from the MultiAir 1.4-litre engine and is priced close to 31,000 euros. It is available as a Spider and with a hardtop.