The Fiat 500 is still the talk of the town, asserting itself as a real “Made in Italy” icon, capable of winning over the public and international critical acclaim. The best proof of its success is the over 270 thousand orders received to date and the 29 prizes awarded around the world. And now, to this collection of prizes will be added the prestigious title of Best Compact Car, a recognition coming from Japan where the super compact Fiat was presented last spring.

It was chosen as the Best Compact Car by Internet users who, in an online competition for the Consumers' Choice Award-Car of the Year, preferred it to the Toyota IQand Peugeot 308. Over 80,000 users took part in the competition (available on the website http://www.yearcar.jp/) organised by the famous publishing company, Neko Publishing, which publishes the main Japanese motor magazines, both specialised and in other sectors.

This prestigious recognition is matched by extraordinary commercial success in Japan, as proved by the 1,800 Fiat 500 delivered so far. This is an important fact which has certainly contributed to Fiat Automobiles’ excellent performance in 2008: at the end of the year, the turnover is expected to be double that of 2007. This result is all the more significant if it is considered that it has been achieved in a constantly declining Japanese market (-19% in sales of national models, and -14% of imported cars).

Again true to Italian style, on 28 November the Brand will open the Fiat Café in Aoyama (Tokyo), where the public will be able to appreciate the concept of a Café as a perfect meeting place, pleasant and cosmopolitan. Of course the new café will display, on the first floor, the multiple prize winning Fiat 500, as a symbol to the world of the “Made in Italy” motor car.