A lot of the news coming out the past few days has been understandably centered around the Fiat-Chrysler partnership. The six-hour press conference resulted in a lot of products news. The Fiat 500 is a highly anticipated model to come a result of the partnership. Now the official details are in.

2010 Fiat 500C Cabrio

Most recently we reported on news that the Fiat 500 would be coming first as an Abarth model. Sadly, that seems news was too good to be true. The first 500 model to come to the United States will be the standard, coming in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The second model will be the 500C Convertible, coming sometime in 2011. Those looking for the sports-focused Abarth model will have to wait until 2012. Of course that could change, but that is bit of a dissapointment. I see the logic though – Fiat is spreading out the model introductions to keep up interest in the car.

The 500 will also be marketed a bit differently – not every Chrysler dealerships will get to sell it. Full-line Chrysler dealers in metropolitan areas will get to sell the vehicle, with a part of the dealer sectioned specifically for the 500. Nice! The 500 should provide good competition to the MINI when it gets here – the Abarth just needs to hurry up.