Quotes from Will Powell of Autocar magazine.

An “utter shambles” was how one guest described the Fiat 500 UK launch event at the London Eye on Monday evening. Members of the press and invited guests all huddled outside in the cold and rain while a host of celebrities were ushered into the elaborate car launch for Britain’s first taste of Fiat’s new ‘people’s car’.

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On the road outside, we spoke to a number of Fiat customers who told us they had been invited along by their local dealership - and had booked central London hotels for the night – but that it now looked unlikely they would get in. It’s an ominous sign from Fiat’s often-criticised UK dealer network, which the company claims has recently radically improved its customer service.

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Fiat has officially launched the critically acclaimed 500 in the UK, but the glamourous event held on the London Eye has been criticised by many customers, who were refused entry

many customers who had been told their names would be given entry to the car's star studded launch, were left disappointed when they were turned away.

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we’re still getting negative letters about Fiat dealerships, often from people who had wanted to buy a 500 and now don’t. And that certainly doesn’t bode well for owning one.

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I'm pleased i didnt go now
I got nibbles and min water locally at the dealer launch .
A bit of an anticlimax at 8pm but at least it was dry and warm

I think the people that couldnt get in were saved! Most people were thankful that the link when down when Mika started

In fairness it was a bit of an ambitious launch, especially in January. You cannot be sure that the people that were moaning actually had tickets, invites etc, the press tend to make big stories out of little ones to gain "press" so take what was said with the preverbial pinch of salt.

I know the dealerships I have been involved with had a great turn out, 100+ where I was and everyone had a fine time, not a single moan.

Funnily enough I don't recall it being cold or wet but the description over at nf500 sums it up pretty well as unfocussed

Having been told to go into the VIP entrance we were told (twice) we weren't VIP enough to ride on the Eye

Three hot drinks and a poncho is not really the way to launch a vehicle which is trying to justify a 50 % premium to the Panda or Fiesta - if you invite prospective clients treat them as if it is a major event not yet another rent-a-mob LCD event

Then again lets face it if Fiat really knew how to sell this car they'd have little satellite dealerships in the West End, City & Canary Wharf and the equivalent in other major urban centres trying to secure the yuppie pound

When we left there was no souvenir

50% premium, WHERE?

The 500 is an upmarket car sharing a chassis and most running gear with the Panda & the new Fiesta and/or Ka - it costs about 50 % more than either - ok ?

50% are you really sure about that?

greyboxer said:

Then again lets face it if Fiat really knew how to sell this car they'd have little satellite dealerships in the West End, City & Canary Wharf and the equivalent in other major urban centres trying to secure the yuppie pound

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Is that not the intention of the new flagship store opening on Wigmore Street?

A Panda 1.2 Dynamic is the equivilent to a 500 1.2 Pop. The Panda list is £7595 although you'll be able to get one for £6500. The 500 is £7900. That's no where near a 50% premium. Also add in that the 500 is better built, has cleaner more powerful engines.

To be fair to the Pandas, I would say having owned a Panda and sat in several 500s, the 500 is as well built as the Panda. You can bet the new Panda, due out 2009 is it, will have the newer engines too.

OK Then, taking retail prices from dealers.

Panda - £7595 + %50 = £11392

Where is a 500 Pop over £11k?

I make the real % premium 4% - hardly going to break the bank when you consider the extra safety features, extra style & customisability (if that's a word) of the 500 is it.

Whoever claims there is a 50% premium clearly needs maths lessons

Suasexed said:

A Panda 1.2 Dynamic is the equivilent to a 500 1.2 Pop. The Panda list is £7595 although you'll be able to get one for £6500. The 500 is £7900. That's no where near a 50% premium. Also add in that the 500 is better built, has cleaner more powerful engines.

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I got my Dynamic for £5500

I agree, still not a 50% premium though.

Ms_Cinq said:

Quotes from Will Powell of Autocar magazine.

On the road outside, we spoke to a number of Fiat customers who told us they had been invited along by their local dealership - and had booked central London hotels for the night – but that it now looked unlikely they would get in. It’s an ominous sign from Fiat’s often-criticised UK dealer network, which the company claims has recently radically improved its customer service.

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Perhaps the dealerships were inviting them to their own showrooms.

limesmoothie said:

I got my Dynamic for £5500

I agree, still not a 50% premium though.

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Park it next to a 500 & tell me which you would rather own.

LOL, they are different cars for different people. Thing is, a genuine Fiat enthusiast will like both, and will be happy taking either car to Italian car shows etc. The Panda will however be welcomed by clasic Panda owners, as it has done from day one. The 500 will not be welcomed by many old 500 owners as I have heard from them.

When you see a Panda being driven, you know that person if not a Fiat enthusiast, will have made a sound descision and bought it because they liked it, found the price attractive or the practicality of it.

What worries me about the 500 is this, I do want one, not right now but in the future... but I know the majority of them will be bought by wannabies who have to have a fashion item, that want bluetooth and aircon more than a driving experience. The sort that buy a new Beetle and stick a flower in the little vase! I really dont want people thinking Im one of those newbie fashion people, that bothers me. Its like when I see a bloke in a BMW Mini other than a Cooper S or a Beetle, I think what a plonker I dont want the 500 to become like that, but it has to because thats who its aimed at

Obviously not you guys on here, because you must be car enthusiasts or you wouldnt be on here!!!

I bought one as I was in the market for an economical, small, good looking car under £9000. The one I personally liked the most was the 500.

I realise owners on here arent the fashion nutters... but for each one of you normal folk theres got to be 10 nuts who buy it like a bit of jewelry and will wave and go all googly when they see another

nuovapanda said:

...... and will wave and go all googly when they see another

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Yep, that's me!!!!!

Nothing wrong with that.

Mark Elvin said:

Park it next to a 500 & tell me which you would rather own.

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That wasn't the point I was making.......someone rather outlandishly claimed that the 1.2 pop was marked up 50% on the Panda. And I was pointing out that it wasnt :bang:.

Crumbs you're a bit touchy, aren't you?

Don't worry, Mark likes to get his man bag out at any occasion possible!

As a forthcoming 500 owner, I absolutely love the Panda. I have done since day 1 and ever since I first sat in it at the Birmingham motor show way back. I'm also a big fan of the Grande Punto, the Mk2 pre-facelift Punto, both Bravos, the Multipla, the original 500, all the retro small Fiat cars in between and alot more. Oh and the Doblo is amazing, especially pre-facelift!

I'm simply buying the 500 because I've loved the original (first time I heard about them was when I was about 10 playing Gran Turismo 2) loved the Trepiuno concept and have followed it since then. I also think the Panda is a great car. If I was after a decent set of wheels for a really good price I'd go for a Panda. In fact alot of you will know I've been toying with the idea about getting a Panda. I was a bit unsure about the 500 when I first started reading reviews, but when I sat in one and test drove it I just wanted one. It's like getting a Macbook Pro over a £299 PC World Special. You don't neccassarily need the MB Pro, but it's nice, it's made out of nice material and is a nice bit of kit to own

Not saying the Panda oisn't nice to own, don't want a back lash!