One of the reasons for the dealer expansion is the steady sales increase of the 2012 FIAT 500. So far in 2012, the Fiat 500 has sold 20,706 units - including a strong June sales of 4,004 units - which has the funky little hatchback up 319 percent over 2011; the souped-up 500 Abarth has already sold out for 2012. In addition to the current 500 line-up, Fiat is also planning an all-electric version of the car as well as a larger, four-door model called the 500L.
At a recent press conference for the aforementioned 500L, Fiat also showed off a new compact crossover called the 500X that will bring the 500's iconic styling up to the B-segment. Automotive News says that the Fiat 500X will be more than two feet longer than the current 500, and it will ride on a modified version of the platform used on the Fiat Punto (shown here). The report goes on to say this model will be built in Turin, Italy (the current Fiat 500 is produced in Toluca, Mexico), and the platform will also be used to underpin a new Jeep B-segment SUV that will be smaller than the current Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass.