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Fiat 500L production halted in Serbia

News is trickling out of the Serbian factory that's responsible for Fiat 500L production that work has stopped due to a delay in parts delivery. Fiat has been mum on the reasoning for the stoppage, which is going on its tenth day, according to Automotive News. "Production ceased on Wednesday and we still don't know when it will resume," said a spokesperson for Fiat's Serbian operations.
While Fiat isn't saying what the issue is, AN is reporting a number of workers for a local transport company are protesting over unpaid wages. They've blocked the road and rail lines leading towards the factory, preventing the delivery of parts for production.
If the stoppage continues, it's going to be bad news for the 500L, as its numbers have just started to pick up following its launch in June. According to a report earlier this month, sales cracked 1,000 units in September. A lengthy delay in production will also count as another blow for local Fiat dealers, which have struggled over small profits, a limited lineup and rumors that Fiat stores will not be selling the Alfa Romeo 4C as promised.

Fiat loses $14k on every 500e it builds, Marchionne doesn't want you to buy one

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne made some interesting comments during a frank and entertaining talk at the Brookings Institution earlier today, saying he hoped that no one bought the Fiat 500e, the well-received EV based on the adorable Italian car.
"I hope you don't buy it," said Marchionne, during a talk and question-and-answer session that focused on the aftermath of the automotive bailouts, "because every time I sell one, it costs me $14,000."
"I'm honest enough to tell you that I'll make the car, I'll make it available, which is my requirement. I'll sell the limit of what I'm required to sell and not one more," Marchionne said. "If we build just those vehicles, we'll be back in Steve [Rattner's] successor's office in Washington asking for a second bailout, because we'll be bankrupt by Christmas"

2014 Fiat 500C GQ Edition mans up [w/videos]

Fiat dealers recently welcomed the five-door 500L into their 'studios' as a much-needed second model line, but franchisees are still clamoring for additional new model ranges as most struggle to reach profitability. There's more in the pipeline for the reborn brand, but in the meantime, Fiat continues to rely on special editions of existing products to drum up interest, in this case, the just-introduced 2014 500C GQ Edition. Meant in part to extend appeal of the tiny 500C to more male shoppers, the GQ Edition teams up the rolltop Cinquecento with publishing juggernaut Conde Nast for a (somewhat) more masculine special edition version of the 500 Turbo.
Chief among the exterior changes are 16-inch gloss black alloys with red-trimmed center caps, a more aggressive lower fascia and black-bucket headlamps, along with the requisite GQ badging. There's no additional chutzpah found under the Fiat's tiny hood, but that's okay, the 'Diet Abarth' Turbo model has a plenty adequate 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque from its 1.4-liter Multiair engine to go with its five-speed manual gearbox.
As you'd expect of a GQ-branded product, due attention has been paid to the interior furnishings, including a matte-finish body-color gauge cluster nacelle, and Nero black leather seats lifted by Alcantara inserts incorporating a Steam leatherette center stripe and GQ embossing on the backrest.