Straightline

The 500 is getting great reviews so far. Hopefully Fiat will use it to spearhead a return to north America.

I highly doubt a US return. The only related dealerships in the US are Ferrari and Maserati. I doubt anyone is going to either dealership and see this and think, "You know, I was going to buy a Quattroporte, but that 500 is so sexy!"
 
Mini was a different story because the product was within, say, $10,000 of the BMW lineup.

It would be tough to get the infrastructure in place unless Fiat plans to bring a full model line up.
 
How about partnering with another company?
 
Chrysler needs a small car. Maybe they could make a deal to sell it through Dodge dealerships.

Put the Chrysler wings on the front and make it the replacement for the PT Cruiser.

The grass is always greener on the other side, but this is a case where I think they're better off leaving that car in Europe.
 
The Mini is sportier and has a more boxy and practical shape.
 
The 500 would not have that sporty reputation here in the US, nor is it as practical. And I doubt it could compete one class down in cost/pricing with the Fit, which is also more practical.
 
Americans will nickname it "The Egg" and I predict it would fail miserably.

What does the cute meter read on this one? Cuter than a bug, but less than a mini? For a hatch, I could live with the GTI - the backseats are enormous! Yet, the GTI probably weighs 1,500 lbs more than this, which may explain the roominess. I just could not get a car with useless backseat/storage like the Mini. I want a compact and energetic car, but my stable fits only two, so they gotta be practical.