Photo: Fiat
Stellantis is the only Detroit Three carmaker that doesn't sell any made-in-the-US electric vehicle. The ones it planned to launch in 2024 have been delayed until the second half of 2025. This put it in the uncomfortable position of announcing a special edition of the Italian-made Fiat 500e as the only novelty at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Stellantis has seen all its American brands bleeding market share, with growing inventories and lackluster sales. Jeep, Chrysler, and Ram were once the crown jewel of Fiat-Crysler Automobile and, later, of Stellantis, the carmaker formed after merging with PSA. The situation is dire enough to cost CEO Carlos Tavares his seat, although it would take another two years before he will be replaced.
Coincidentally, Stellantis is also the carmaker that faked the EV transition by announcing new battery-powered models that have yet to start production. Surprisingly, this might be beneficial, considering the EV market slowdown and the return of Donald Trump, who vowed to scrap EV subsidies and ease environmental requirements for the auto industry.
This is why we're not surprised that Stellantis preceded the Los Angeles Auto Show by announcing a new delay to its most-anticipated EVs, the Wagoneer S, Jeep Recon, and Ram 1500 REV. Instead, the carmaker showed the 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition, a variant of its only EV it sells in the US. To add insult to injury, this is not even a new model, having been unveiled in July in Europe. In fact, the pictures accompanying the press release represent the European variant of the car.
"The finest expression of Italian design," as it was named, is unlikely to set the imagination of American buyers on fire. It might convince a few hipsters to pay for what looks, from Americans' perspective, like a fancy electric quadricycle. What sets it apart from a stale Fiat 500e are two exclusive paint colors, Green and Greige, and its matching tone-on-tone eco-leather seats. The design icon also features a special Armani interior treatment and unique 17-inch wheels with the GA logo.
The latter is likely the only distinctive element that could make an impression. The wheels feature a sophisticated, burnished two-tone anodized finish and precise lateral grooves, adding elegance to the overall appearance. The cabin is marked by chevron stitching and three-dimensional patterns on the central seat inserts. The special-series EV also features the Giorgio Armani logo on the front-seat headrests, with the designer's signature displayed on the dashboard, interior door panels, and rear window.
Technology-wise, the 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition comes with standard full LED headlamps and taillamps, a wireless charging pad, a seven-inch TFT display, and a 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen. The seven-speaker JBL system is marketed as an audiophile audio system and features four Virtual Venues hand-selected by Maestro Andrea Bocelli. This offers a virtual-reality audio experience that changes the car's acoustic characteristics depending on the chosen location.
Coincidentally, Stellantis is also the carmaker that faked the EV transition by announcing new battery-powered models that have yet to start production. Surprisingly, this might be beneficial, considering the EV market slowdown and the return of Donald Trump, who vowed to scrap EV subsidies and ease environmental requirements for the auto industry.
This is why we're not surprised that Stellantis preceded the Los Angeles Auto Show by announcing a new delay to its most-anticipated EVs, the Wagoneer S, Jeep Recon, and Ram 1500 REV. Instead, the carmaker showed the 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition, a variant of its only EV it sells in the US. To add insult to injury, this is not even a new model, having been unveiled in July in Europe. In fact, the pictures accompanying the press release represent the European variant of the car.
"The finest expression of Italian design," as it was named, is unlikely to set the imagination of American buyers on fire. It might convince a few hipsters to pay for what looks, from Americans' perspective, like a fancy electric quadricycle. What sets it apart from a stale Fiat 500e are two exclusive paint colors, Green and Greige, and its matching tone-on-tone eco-leather seats. The design icon also features a special Armani interior treatment and unique 17-inch wheels with the GA logo.
The latter is likely the only distinctive element that could make an impression. The wheels feature a sophisticated, burnished two-tone anodized finish and precise lateral grooves, adding elegance to the overall appearance. The cabin is marked by chevron stitching and three-dimensional patterns on the central seat inserts. The special-series EV also features the Giorgio Armani logo on the front-seat headrests, with the designer's signature displayed on the dashboard, interior door panels, and rear window.
Technology-wise, the 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition comes with standard full LED headlamps and taillamps, a wireless charging pad, a seven-inch TFT display, and a 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 touchscreen. The seven-speaker JBL system is marketed as an audiophile audio system and features four Virtual Venues hand-selected by Maestro Andrea Bocelli. This offers a virtual-reality audio experience that changes the car's acoustic characteristics depending on the chosen location.
Google News