Italian automaker Fiat, which has been rapidly losing ground in the American market in recent years, has unexpectedly found a new niche: small electric cars that can compete with golf carts, Autoblog reports.

We are talking about the Fiat Topolino, a compact electric four-wheeler, the official unveiling of which in the US is scheduled for in October. Even before the start of sales, the model has aroused considerable interest among American buyers, especially in gated communities where residents often use golf carts for short trips.

Fiat's problems in the US began long before the Topolino appeared. The brand's sales were declining even before the Covid pandemic, and then the situation was exacerbated by disruptions in global supply chains and a shortage of microchips. After the 500L and 500X were discontinued, Fiat’s American lineup was effectively reduced to a single model: the electric 500e. In 2022, Americans bought just 919 Fiats, and in 2023, sales fell to 602.

After the 500e was released, sales rebounded in 2024, but then fell again. Against this backdrop, the Topolino could be the product that will enable Fiat to survive in the US. The Topolino belongs to the four-wheel drive category. In Europe, such vehicles are primarily intended for short trips in cities and small towns, and in some countries they are available to teenagers with the appropriate permit or safety certificate.

But the American market for the Topolino looks a little different. Fiat is counting on buyers in wealthy gated communities, where golf carts have long been used as everyday transportation.

A typical new golf cart costs about $5,000, while more expensive, custom-built versions can cost more than $20,000. The Topolino is priced at about $15,000, roughly in the middle of that range. Interest in this model had already been building up in the US even before its official launch.

After the Topolino video was released, Fiat's American dealers received a flood of inquiries from people interested in purchasing this electric car. The first batch for the US was limited to just 300 cars, with some dealers selling out almost immediately.

One dealership bought six Topolinos before they had even arrived at the dealership. Another dealer also sold the five cars it had been allocated, without waiting for the model to actually go on sale. In the state of Michigan, 10 of the first 14 cars were sold in a short time, after which the dealer had to order nine more.

One of the first owners of the Topolino said that the car is attracting a lot of interest and attention from his neighbors and within the community. “I have already had people literally wave me down,” quipped the owner. Now Fiat faces the challenge of turning pre-sales hype into sustainable demand.