This may sound a little politically incorrect, but Fiat is thinking about introducing an automatic transmissionfor its cute 500 Abarth model, especially for a certain demographic segment: the ladies. According to the automaker’s North American president, Tim Kuniskis, when the car was launched last year, Fiat didn’t expect requests for an automatic gearbox, so they only offered a 5-speed manual one.
Since then, however, demand for an automatic transmission has made the company consider the possibility of introducing this option too. Kuniskis said: “I think when we’ll see more women is when we have the automatic, and we’re planning to add the automatic in the Abarth at some point, only because we’re getting that feedback from customers.”
The soon-to-be-launched droptop 500C Abarth may attract more lady customers, so the change might actually be very welcomed. Currently Abarth hatchbacks are bought mostly by men (80% of all customers). So, who is excited about this news?
