Abarth beats UK targets with new dealers
February 11th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
ABARTH now has a network of 16 dealers across the UK – beating its target of 15-plus by the end of 2008.
At the launch of the Abarth 500 in Poole, the head of the brand in the UK, Ivan Gibson, said he was very happy with the network put in place.
‘It gives us good coverage across the UK and helps us offer the best service to our customers,’ he said.
‘Even in these tough times for the industry, we are still receiving enquiries from dealers because they want to be part of something special.’
Gibson also confirmed those 16 dealers had taken orders for 60 per cent of the UK’s 700-car allocation.
Offered in two guises, the Abarth 500 comes in ‘standard’ 135bhp form, which will hit 60mph in 7.9s and costs £13,600. And a spicier version, the Esseesse – pronounced E-sess-A – ramps up the power to 160bhp and will hit 60mph in 7.4s.
Some 55 per cent of the orders already taken are for the hotter model, added Gibson.
Abarth sites have to be standalone and with their own dedicated showroom – and Gibson said not all of the 16 are current Fiat franchise holders.
’12 or 13 have Fiat as part of their group,’ he said. ‘But there are some that have taken Abarth on its own.’
And if the brand is to be taken on its own merits, it needs its own unique models, suggested the firm’s PR manager to Car Dealer.
Often seen as Fiat’s ‘AMG’ or M-Division, there were suggestions that a completely unique-to-Abarth model could be around the corner.
‘A lot of people refer to the new car as the Fiat 500 Abarth – and that can be annoying,’ said the spokesman.
‘I think that would be solved by building a car completely unique to Abarth.’
Exclusive by JAMES BAGGOTT