- The Fiat 124 Spider will end production soon, according to al Volante and other Italian publications.
- Based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the 124 Spider is built in Japan as the same plant as the Mazda.
- There is a 2020 model-year 124 Spider available in the U.S., but we suspect that there will not be a 2021.
Get ready to say arrivederci to the Miata's Italian cousin, as numerous Italian publications are reporting that production of the Fiat 124 Spider will end soon. The 124 has been removed from the list of models on Fiat's Italian website already, although a 2020 124 Spider remains available in the U.S. A Fiat U.S. spokesperson told C/D that production continues for North America, but we suspect there will be no 2021 model year for this roadster in the States.
The 124 Spider was introduced for the 2017 model year in the U.S. and is based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The Fiat version has a different engine, a tweaked interior, and its own body with styling meant to evoke the historic 124 Spider from the 1960s and 70s. Mazda builds the 124 Spider alongside the Miata in Japan; a Mazda spokesperson could not comment on the Fiat, but suggested that Miata production would not be affected. Through the third quarter of 2019, the Mazda has far outsold the Fiat, 6351 units to 2214.
Dropping the 124 Spider leaves Fiat's U.S. lineup with only two models, the 500X subcompact crossover and the oddball 500L station wagon. The 500 city car was discontinued for 2020 and is not expected to return anytime soon. Late Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne suggested years ago that Fiat could become an eco-focused brand for the company, but we haven't heard much about the future of Fiat since then.
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
