South Miami FIAT to Celebrate Grand Opening with 'A Taste of Italy'

What:
South Miami FIAT will celebrate its grand opening with "A Taste of Italy" on Thursday, Jan. 26.

This VIP Grand Opening will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the new FIAT studio, 17220 South Dixie Highway (U.S. 1 and 172nd Street) in Miami, Fla. The evening will feature live music, food from Miami's finest Italian restaurants, prizes, cappuccino, and, of course, the 2012 Fiat 500 hatchback and Fiat 500 Cabrio.

While several hundred VIPs are expected to attend, the studio is open to the public as well.

Background:
South Miami FIAT joins 138 open FIAT studios across the United States, 14 in the state of Florida. A three-month renovation project transformed this former used-car dealership into a striking new FIAT studio.

"Miami is a key market for us in our continuing expansion of the FIAT brand in Florida and across the United States," said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand for North America. "We are thrilled to add South Miami FIAT to our fast-growing network of FIAT studios."

The dealer, Jay Rivchin, has opened South Miami FIAT less than a mile from his existing Dadeland Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram Truck dealership.

"Our customers are buying the Fiat 500 first and foremost because it's Italian," said Greg Van Natter, Managing Director of South Miami FIAT. "People like to be seen, like to be noticed in their Fiat 500."

Where:
South Miami FIAT
17220 South Dixie Highway
Miami, Fla. 33157

When:
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

About the 2012 Fiat 500 models
Building on the attributes that made the original version an icon more than 50 years ago -- the 2012 Fiat 500 models provide an entirely new generation of drivers with the best of Italian motoring: craftsmanship, style and safety, combined with fun-to-drive small-car efficiency.

The 2012 Fiat 500 offers high levels of safety, fuel economy, quality and advanced technology. With its city-friendly four-passenger size, engaging driving dynamics, all-new fuel-efficient 1.4-liter MultiAir� engine with eco:Drive Application, seven standard air bags and available TomTom� Navigation with standard BLUE&ME Handsfree Communication technology, the new Fiat 500 offers a unique driving and ownership experience. This package is further enhanced with new quality and refinement adaptations for the U.S. market, plus a "Top Safety Pick" for 2011 by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Expanding on the qualities that have made the original Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) a timeless and efficient automobile, the new 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio (500c) adds open-air freedom and even more driving enjoyment. And with its cleverly designed multi-position power-retractable cloth top and iconic body-side silhouette, the new Fiat 500c delivers style with class-leading interior sound quality.

At local FIAT Studios, customers may choose to personalize their Fiat 500 or 500c with selections including as many as 14 available exterior paint colors, 14 unique seat color combinations, three models and two interior environments. And to ensure that every new 2012 Fiat 500 will be distinct, a full line of authentic Fiat 500 accessories by Mopar� will offer customers even more personalization possibilities, including unique striping packages, exterior and interior styling accessories and authentic FIAT-styled merchandise.

Offering even more exclusivity and style, the limited-edition 2012 Fiat 500 and 500c by Gucci models arrived at FIAT Studios nationwide in December. For more information, visit www.fiatusa.com/gucci. The high-performance Fiat 500 Abarth will arrive into the U.S. market in the first-half of 2012.

The 2012 Fiat 500 and 500c Pop models have a U.S. MSRP of $15,500 and $19,500 respectively.