Number 500 is alive ...

In an attempt to resurrect its automotive fortunes, Fiat is taking a page from BWM and reviving one of its most iconic cars, the classic Cinquecento. The Turin-based corporation has confirmed that it will build the Trepiuno, an all new micro car visually inspired by the 1957 Cinquecento(500). Often called "the bambino," the original 500 was one of the most successful city cars ever, with some 3.6 million examples being produced between 1958-1975. Fiat is hoping that the Trepiuno proves just as popular.

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World domination, just don't Focus here

A nice piece by Michael Booth on the next generation Focus that is currently available in Europe. It would be nice if Ford appreciated the sophistication of the modern American motorist and brought the MKII Ford Focus here, but sadly they have not and will not. Then again, is America ready for a small car with satellite navigation and Bluetooth?

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Alfa's newest wonder

For years I have been eagerly awaiting Alfa Romeo's triumphant return to the American market, and year after year I have been thoroughly disappointed. First they promised 2003, then 2005, and now 2007 is the earliest date that the new Alfa's will be back on our shores, and even that date is optimistic. With my hopes already quashed, I have yet another reason for disappointment. In anticipation of the Geneva Motor Show next month, Alfa Romeo released its first official pictures of the production version of Alfa Romeo's new Brera coupé. The car is simply stunning. Once again, disappointment will reign supreme.

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The X1/9 returns

Before Fiat pulled out of the American market, before the "put option" scandal, there was the Fiat X1/9. This scrappy coupe was one of the last American Fiats. Short on fun, looks, and build quality, the X1/9 found a small and loyal fan club in America who loved the X1/9's monthly repairs and constant problems. Well, it looks like the Fiat X1/9 is back. Fiat is planning to re-introduce the X1/9 at this years Geneva autoshow. If Fiat and GM were on good terms, there might be a 1 in 1,000,000 chance that the new X1/9 would reach our shores, but considering the current relationship between these two, the X1/9 will likely never cross the pond.

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If you build them, they will buy.

With the introduction of the 2006 Jetta, US drivers were introduced to their first variant of the the new Golf platform. Europeans, however, have been motoring in the fifth generation Golf since 2003 and now have the first of a plethora of new Golfs to motor in, the Golf Plus. The Plus is a slightly larger Golf that has a higher roofline and more interior room than the standard Golf. Why make a big Golf when sales of the Golf V are already below expectations? Don't know, but VW has even more up its sleeves. The Golf franchise continues to grow over the next three years, and soon there will be the new Golf convertible, mini-van, 4x4, and wagon. VW better hope that the voice was right or they might be left with a field of unsold cars.

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Testing

This is a test of the missing motors blog, this is only a test. Had this been a real motoring emergency you would have had the opportunity to read and learn about the hundreds of great European and Japanese cars that never make it to America's shores. But now you will and what sweet sadness it will be.