Fiat To Bring Low-Speed 'All-Electric Quadricycle' To The U.S. After Trump's 'Tiny Car' Statements

 

Last week, Trump announced he wants "tiny cars" to be sold and built here in America. Well, Stellantis wasted no time on this. CNBC is reporting the company is going to sell its Fiat Topolino "all-electric quadricycle" to the U.S. market. Ironically, a Stellantis spokesperson said the announcement was unrelated to the President's desire for small cars. Now that's some Italian irony.

Low Speed, Low Range

Don't call it a car: this is a quadricycle. While often human-powered with pedals, these four-wheeled runabouts can also have small motors. In this case, the Topolino is an EV with a blistering top speed of 28 MPH and a range of less than 50 miles. And despite the Italian name, the Topolino, which means "tiny mouse" in Italian, is currently made in Morocco. 

Somehow, I don't think this is what Americans want—not even close. You can register low-speed vehicles in many states, including Oregon (top speed can be no greater than 25 MPH). I remember seeing some in Portland sold through ZAP. 

These could also be alternatives to golf carts where they are street legal. I was in Charleston, South Carolina, last year, and there were scads of golf carts all over the place. This is definitely a stylish Moroccan  Italian alternative.

These low-speed vehicles are, however, common in Europe, and many can be driven by younger folks without full driver's licences. I saw a number of them in Germany in July 2024, such as this Ellenator I spied in Oberstdorf.

This is Not What Americans Want

So just when you thought things couldn't get more bizarre after Trump's "tiny car" announcement, you have this from Fiat. I already argue Americans don't really want small cars. But they really, REALLY won't want this. I mean, 28 MPH? Even if you juice it up to 40 MPH, where the hell are you going to drive this? You can't take it on a highway. Even many of the roads around my house in suburban Portland, Oregon, are higher than 28, 30, or 35. This is a true city-only car. I'd argue this is a golf cart alternative.

These might get by in congested European or Asian cities, but The US of A? No way.

CNBC said, "The automaker did not announce timing for the vehicle, but Fiat CEO Olivier François confirmed plans to bring the vehicle to the market, with 'more details to come next year.'"

I photographed the sea foam green Topolino above at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year. It's adorable. This truly is a cute vehicle oozing with character. But it is so wrong for the U.S. market. If it could go 70 MPH and had a gas engine, maybe. But in its current Euro form, I don't think this thing has a chance. What is Fiat thinking?