Fiat looks to retire 'Fix It Again, Tony' by knocking Honda
By Chris Bruce
Nov 24th 2014
Ask Americans what Fiat stands for, and the odds are pretty low that you'll hear, "Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino" to be the answer. The more far likely response is "Fix It Again, Tony." The ignominious moniker comes from the brand's stint selling often unreliable models in the US in the '60s and '70s, and it remains in some minds today. However, Fiat thinks the time is right to challenge the old stereotype, and it's doing just that with a new commercial for the forthcoming 500X compact crossover, while taking some shots at Honda, as well.
In the ad, a guy just wants his Civic repaired, but two heavily accented, Italian mechanics berate his Honda for not being sexy. The boss of the shop eventually promises, "We fix it," and the customer goes inside to enjoy an espresso. At no point is the infamous, "Fix it again, Tony," ever actually uttered, but it's strongly suggested with a sign for Tony's Fix It Shop prominently displayed in several shots.
I give them credit for taking something that was originally supposed to deride them and poke fun at it.
As for the car itself, it looks great and is about as different as you can get from the Renegade. You'd never think they shared most of their essential bits and should appeal to very different customers.
Funny commercial; Back during the 90s Balkan "unpleasantness," I flew on missions to Bosnia from Italy; they nailed the admittedly over the top stereotypes perfectly. Is that a matte or satin finish paint job on the car?
I know someone who has had a Fiat 500 for about 2 years so far -- trouble free, thus far. I suspect the new Fiats are
more reliable than Fords with EcoBoost powertrains..... Ecoboost Fords are truly awful, lots of engine problems /
transmission issues / fuel pump problems.
That was...daring. It is also something most GM commercials absolutely lack. "Poolside" was daring in its own way, and actually funny if taken as farce, which I admit I didn't when it came out. At the time, it reminded me as much of America's failures as its successes. But this was a amusing way to tell the truth about Hondas in general and the Civic in particular.
Is that a new thing? They certainly missed it out for the 2nd generation U-body cars, judging by the US-built Sintras they sent to Europe.
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