[nadepalma]

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.

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[nadepalma]

Funny.

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.

 

[cbennie2]

That is a good commercial. It makes me think that GM is missing an opportunity by mot offering the Atom here at some dealer.

 

[Envoy4Life]

Man, that was an awesome commercial!

Why can't we get anything close to that from GM?

 

[Neanderthal]

Funny.

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.

Some can execute, some can't.

Man, that was an awesome commercial!

Why can't we get anything close to that from GM?

Because GM Marketing is pathologically incompetent?

 

[Stéphane Dumas]

I wonder if Ford might do a similar ad with the "Found On Road Dead" or "Fix or Repair Daily"? :lmao:

 

[TheCarGonzo]

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?

 

[web_captain]

Well done, FCA!
Smart move, indeed.

http://www.fiat500usa.com/2014/11/2016-fiat-500x-engineering.html for specific news on the US 2016 500x model

 

[69gtsdart]

Funny cause my Cousins 1 year old 2013 Honda Accord just had a Complete Transmission Failure lol

 

[1958carnut]

I think it's a pretty good commercial. I think the car comes across as a bit homely in this ad though.

 

[Rocket 88]

Good commercial. I was afraid it would be a H.O.N.D.A =. Hold on ' nother dumb a$$ Approach.

 

[cbennie2]

Funny cause my Cousins 1 year old 2013 Honda Accord just had a Complete Transmission Failure lol

This guy i worked with had a three year old accord that had a blown transmission...don't think he was planning on fixing it either

 

[partsman]

I wonder if Ford might do a similar ad with the "Found On Road Dead" or "Fix or Repair Daily"? :lmao:

Or Ford spelled backwards. "Driver Returns On Foot"

 

[Envoy4Life]

Or Ford spelled backwards. "Driver Returns On Foot"

Duuuuuuude I died! :lmao:

 

[GG_TECH]

Consumer reports list FIAT dead last in reliability...That's why they are known as Fix It Again Tony....

 

[Johnny_Buchanan]

Spiffing commercial! Sad that the 500X seems pretty humdrum though

-J

 

[bmwboy2007]

That's an instant classic. Does anyone at GM even understand marketing? I don't think anyone there knows what it is

 

[Darc Requiem]

Good commercial. I was afraid it would be a H.O.N.D.A =. Hold on ' nother dumb a$$ Approach.

I always thought Honda stood for Hold On Not Done Accelerating?

 

[steve333]

Just how many headlights does this thing need?

 

[BuickGNX]

Consumer reports list FIAT dead last in reliability...That's why they are known as Fix It Again Tony....

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.