Fiat introduces line of branded cellphones

by Evan Blass, posted May 15th 2006 at 9:47AM

In yet another example of an automobile manufacturer leveraging the brand to release a distinctly non-car product (see: BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini), Fiat has announced that it will begin selling a line of cellphones conspicuously emblazoned with the company's logo. Suggesting that this lineup values fashion over function, no specs are immediately available for any of the individual models, although we do know that all will feature cameras, MP3 playback, Bluetooth, and the usual suite of Internet functions. Crafted out of "cold" aluminum, the handsets were designed to be displayed in engine piston-like cases that are meant to invoke the good times you can only find by tooling around the European countryside in your Fiat Panda Monster. The new models -- which were built to easily pair with the Microsoft-powered Blue&Me in-car Bluetooth system -- will be available in chichi Italian boutiques later this month, with a general European rollout to follow this summer.

[Via textually and Autoblog]

Filed under: Handsets, Multimedia, Others

Tags: automobiles, bluetooth, camera, cameraphone, cars, cellphones, digital camera, DigitalCamera, fiat, microsoft, mp3, musicphone

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

John @ May 15th 2006 10:44AM

As for me Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini are real BRANDS, which are fashionable. And Fiat is just a company, which produces cars, like Volvo. Good, safe cars, but not more. Stupid step after all

Neutral

strider_mt2k @ May 15th 2006 11:55AM

There are electrical and cooling problems with my X-19 phone!
...and is that OIL??

Neutral

James Fales @ May 15th 2006 12:08PM

Everyone wants to be Ferrari. I just wish they had more Ferrari products.

Neutral

Razib Ahmed @ May 15th 2006 12:23PM

Nice inititative. The mobile phone market is growing in a very rapid pace in the world and still there are 5-10 years of growth. Thus a window of opportunity will remain open for Fiat and if the idea clicks then they can become a serious contender in the mobile phone market too. However, Fiat bosses should think of the Indian and Chinese markets as the main growth is there. China is already the largest market in terms of user base and India is going to surpass USA within 2 years (http://www.southasiabiz.com/2006/05/india_surpassing_usa_as_a_mobi.html).

Neutral

soop @ May 16th 2006 7:40AM

Well, that was a brave move. Considering their "logo" is basically the word Fiat.

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