Fiat is betting on tiny electric vehicles as micromobility gains attention in the U.S., giving the Stellantis brand a potential path beyond the company’s focus on Jeep and Ram. The Fiat Topolino starts at $13,995 before destination fees, placing it well below the average new-car price in the U.S., which has exceeded $50,000.

Fiat Targets the Growing LSV Market

Stellantis’ U.S. strategy makes Jeep and Ram clear priorities, leaving its other brands with less emphasis in the market. Fiat, however, is pursuing a different approach by doubling down on tiny “cars” as interest in micromobility continues to grow.

CNBC reported that a growing number of companies, including Stellantis, Waev, and Chip Motors, are introducing electric low-speed vehicles. These vehicles are not traditional cars, instead occupying a space slightly above golf carts.

The segment is receiving more attention as the average new-car price in the U.S. has surpassed $50,000, bringing affordability into the discussion. Fiat’s Topolino starts at $13,995 before destination fees.

The Limits of Low-Speed Vehicles

The lower price comes with significant limitations. Low-speed vehicles cannot travel on highways and are primarily intended for short-distance transportation.

Their range also falls well short of traditional EVs such as the Mini Countryman SE, which can travel more than 200 miles on a charge.

Still, continued growth in the LSV segment and the arrival of more competitors could challenge established vehicle preferences in the U.S., where large vehicles such as the Ford F-150 dominate sales.

Fiat CEO Olivier Francois described the Topolino’s U.S. arrival as an experiment. Speaking to CNBC, he said, “I want to use America to test and learn,” adding that “if along the way I do some good volumes and good business, it doesn’t hurt.”

Fiat’s U.S. Sales Have Fallen Sharply

Fiat remains a priority for Stellantis under its FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, although Europe remains its main focus rather than the U.S.

If Fiat becomes a major competitor in America’s growing micromobility market, the segment could give the brand a new purpose in the country. That would be notable given that Fiat’s U.S. sales fell from 43,772 vehicles during its first full year back in 2012 to just 1,321 units last year.

Support for Smaller Cars Is Growing

President Donald Trump has also expressed support for bringing smaller cars to the U.S. Last year, he said Japan’s tiny kei cars should be legalized stateside.

During a speech at General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground in Michigan in late July, Trump also said American automakers should be allowed to build “tiny little tiny cars.”

Fiat Topolino Specs and Range

Stellantis’ entry into the segment, the Fiat Topolino, measures 99.6 inches long, 56.4 inches wide and 61.2 inches tall. Its curb weight is about 1,073 pounds, roughly one-third the weight of a Fiat 500e.

The Topolino has a standard top speed of 19 mph. A conversion kit raises that figure to 25 mph, allowing the vehicle to travel on most public roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less, depending on local laws.

Its range is limited to just 46 miles, reinforcing the vehicle’s focus on short-distance transportation rather than highway travel.