The Fiat 500 will make its Brazilian debut when the Salão Internacional do Automóvel opens its doors to the public in São Paulo for the 25th edition at the end of this month.

The Fiat 500 will make its Brazilian debut when the Salão Internacional do Automóvel opens its doors to the public in São Paulo for the 25th edition at the end of this month. The new small Fiat that has caused a worldwide sensation since its debut in July 2007 and Fiat Automóveis, the autonomous Brazilian arm of the Fiat Group, will present the car at Latin America's leading motor show with the aim of judging reaction from the public.

Fiat Automóveis are expected to commence imports of the Fiat 500, which is the current holder of prestigious the title of European Car of the Year, very shortly. However, any imports will be strictly limited in numbers as Brazilian import tariffs will put it out of reach of most potential customers. Instead Fiat hope that the 500 will be embraced by the rich and celebrities as a style icon, much in the way it is being sold in very small numbers on the Indian market. Its appearance at Latin America's biggest motor show is expected to draw many visitors to the Fiat stand.

Using the Salão Internacional do Automóvel to gauge public reaction to potential new models is not a new policy for Fiat Automóveis; during the last edition of the bi-annual motor show, held in 2006, The Fiat Croma station wagon was presented, although after favourable feedback from visitors no decision has as yet been taken on whether to offer it on the market. The version of the 500 to be shown in São Paulo will be the 1.4 16v in Sport specification (diesel engines are not permitted in passenger cars in Brazil).

Although this will be the 500's Brazilian debut, it has already gone on sale in Mexico, where Fiat's interests are represented by an independent importer. It is being imported in completely built format into Mexico. Meanwhile Brazil will be just the latest stop on a global roll out that has seen the well-received small car impressing consumers in markets far afield from the Polish factory that builds it. Distant markets where it is now sold include Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, South Africa and New Zealand. Providing some synergies towards an arrival in South America is the Fiat Automóveis is responsible for the South African market.

by Claudio Perlini