With the high price of gasoline just coming to America, it’s interesting to reflect upon what European countries have been experiencing for the better part of two decades. The answer across the pond is exactly what U.S. customers are doing right now: a move to smaller and more fuel efficient cars.

1960’s Fiat 1100 

A case in point

According to historical data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, on January 1st, 1996, drivers in Italy were paying $3.89 for gas, while their American counterparts were paying a bit less than a third of that amount - $1.27, to be exact. Just over eleven and a half years later, the price in Italy had risen to $9.09 a gallon, while Americans were paying a little less than half that – an average of $4.30 per gallon.

This means that compared to 1996, North American drivers are paying roughly three and a half times as much for gas, while their European counterparts are paying roughly two and a half times as much for the same commodity. The reason gas in Europe hasn’t tripled can be attributed to the fact that in European countries, much of the price at the pump is due to higher taxes on gasoline. In addition, the stronger value of the Euro has also tempered the rise in the actual cost of gas in Europe this year.

Two facts are readily apparent. Number one, Americans are now paying much more for gas than in 1996. Number two; European drivers are still paying more than their U.S. counterparts so don’t expect any sympathy from them when it comes to gas prices.

The new reality

There is every indication that gas will never drop below $2.50 per gallon as it did as recently as February of 2007, so it appears like there’s no time like the present to take a look at what people in Europe are driving right now. A few of those cars are actually sold here in the U.S. Many of them may never reach our shores. A few, however, may actually find their way over here. One of those brands that falls into the third category is Fiat.

They’ve come a long way from “fix it again…”

1960’s Fiat 500

The year is 1984. Dell computers is founded, Ronald Reagan is re-elected president and Fiat Group, faced with an onslaught of Japanese cars and its own abysmal history of poor quality, pulls out of the U.S. car market.

Fiat Grande Punto

Today, Fiat is the largest automobile manufacturer in Italy and currently accounts for 7% of the market in Europe – ahead of such manufacturers as Toyota, Nissan and Honda.

The 2008 ECOTY

New Fiat 500

Of Fiat’s three most popular variations, the Panda, the Grande Punto and the 500, the model most likely to reach our shores is the 2008 European Car of the Year, the iconic Fiat 500. The “Cinquecento”, Italian for “500” was originally produced, in various body styles, from 1957 to 1995. Think of it as the Italian version of the British MINI as both were equally revered by their respective countries.

New Fiat 500

Like the original Volkswagen Beetle, the 500 was a rear engine, rear wheel drive vehicle. Unlike the Beetle, however, the Cinquecento was available in a number of body styles that included the Giardiniera (a station wagon with a longer wheelbase and a usable rear seat) and the Jolly, an open-air model that featured wicker seats (talk about your basic NCAP nightmare).

Fiat 500 Abarth

The newest 500 was introduced in March of 2007 – exactly 50 years after the original model - and in 2008, the Abarth version (think of it as the Cooper S version of a Fiat) was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. Like the New Beetle, the latest 500 sports a front-engine front wheel drive layout. It also includes a number of design cues from the classic 500.

Plans for the U.S.

As recently as June of 2008, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is said to be looking for an “industrial partner” in the United States to manufacture the 500 somewhere in the North American area. Plans call for launching a full range of the model here – including a convertible as well as a planned “Giardiniera” model. Stay tuned.

Tags: beetle, cinquecento, fiat, fiat 500, grande punto, MINI, new beetle, panda