DETROIT, MICHIGAN – Chrysler parent Stellantis announced plans to bring an all-electric small vehicle, the Fiat Topolino, to the U.S. market. The company did not provide a specific release date, but Fiat CEO Olivier François confirmed that the launch is planned, with more details expected next year.
The announcement comes shortly after President Donald Trump praised Japan’s small “Kei” cars during a White House meeting with Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa and other U.S. lawmakers and auto industry leaders. Trump described the vehicles as “very small” and “really cute” and questioned how they might perform in the U.S., suggesting efforts to allow such cars to be built domestically under U.S. regulations. Stellantis clarified that the Topolino launch is unrelated to the president’s comments and stems from ongoing market research and customer interest at U.S. auto shows.
The Topolino, which means “little mouse” in Italian, is technically classified as an all-electric quadricycle rather than a traditional car. It has a top speed of about 28 miles per hour and a driving range of up to 75 kilometers (less than 50 miles) per charge. The vehicle is manufactured in Morocco.
Historically, small cars have struggled in the U.S. market. The last significant push came after the 2009 financial crisis, when Fiat purchased the bankrupt Chrysler, partly to introduce small city cars to U.S. consumers. The Fiat 500 reentered the U.S. market in 2011 following the takeover. In 2012, Fiat sold 43,772 vehicles, but sales have since fallen sharply, with roughly 1,500 Fiat vehicles sold last year.