While the assembly line stands still until the new year, Fiat is now trying to get rid of the 500e that has already been built by giving them away in free leasing agreements.
It's not just in Italy that Fiat is having trouble selling electric cars. It's also the case in the US. So now dealers are trying to get rid of the cars by offering free leases. However, customers still have to pay taxes and fees.
A Fiat dealer in Denver, Colorado, is currently offering a 27-month, no-down payment lease. Although the deal is billed as free, according to Carscoops, the buyer will have to pay around $1,700 in various fees.
In addition, a fee of approximately DKK 3,700 is added at the end of the leasing period. The total costs therefore amount to approximately DKK 15,400, which corresponds to a monthly expense of approximately DKK 570. However, the lease agreement is limited to 16,000 kilometers per year.
– It is unclear how many Fiat 500e the dealer has on hand. But it is likely that the offer has been tightened up to clear out the stock, writes Carscoops.
It's worth noting that the Fiat 500e has struggled to sell, especially in the U.S. Production of the electric car has been paused, and the halt has been extended several times.
On December 12, the production stop was extended once again, and production of new cars is expected to resume no earlier than January 20, 2025.
In comparison, the leasing costs for a Fiat 500e in Denmark vary depending on the length of the agreement. However, a quick Google search reveals that leasing fees here typically start at 2,500 kroner per month.
For American customers who wish to keep the car after the lease period expires, the price is set at an amount equivalent to 164,000 kroner.