A report on the seven worst product flops in the U.S. from 24/7 Wall Street two vehicle introductions, the Chevrolet Volt and the Fiat 500.

The Fiat expected to sell some 50,000 cars during its first year in the States, but he sold fewer than 12,000 from January through July, and that the company ousted its chief Laura Soave this past November. For the record, Fiat sold 15,826 examples of the coupe and the 500C through October.

The other products mentioned in the list include Abercrombie & Fitch’s “Ashley” Push-Up Triangle, a bikini top with padding for kids; Netflix’s DVD-by-mail only Qwikster service; the HTC Status smartphone; Blackberry’s PlayBook Tablet, and the Mars Needs Moms 3D film from Disney.

The Fiat 500 collected just three stars safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The side-impact test was particularly cruel to the Italian compact, with NHTSA awarding the vehicle two stars in that category – a somewhat surprising result considering that Fiat went to the trouble of redesigning the 500 for U.S. crash test compatibility. The 500 finds itself in the company of the Dodge Caliber and outgoing Ford Escape as the only models tested so far to receive the three-star designation.

Fiat 500 Abarth today arrive in North American showrooms. Today Chrysler Group finally unveiled the American version of the Fiat 500 Abarth. The Fiat 500 Abarth which arriving in Chrysler dealerships will pack an all-new 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged four, kept in check by upgraded brakes, handled by a sportier suspension, controlled by a higher level of technology and conveyed by a more aggressive appearance.

The Euro-model Abarth 500 offers up either 130 hp or 160, the latter with the Esse-Esse kit.

Fiat plans to enhance the 500th range with a variety of new models within the next two years. The first new addition to arrive in USA is the Fiat 500 Abarth. The Abarth 500 is powered by a highly-tuned 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 180HP and 300 Nm of torque.

The diminutive hatchback sports an aggressive bodykit, stiffer suspension, an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and 17-inch alloy OZ wheels.

The second addition to the range is a pure electric 500 that will be available next year. Fiat has teased the new model with the 500 BEV Concept at the Detroit Motor Show in 2010. The EV 500 is being developed mainly by Chrysler at its Technical Center, which has undertaken all work for electric vehicles in the Fiat Chrysler alliance.

During the presentation of the 500 BEV Concept, the company’s CEO Sergio Marchionne had revealed that it’s price would be double that of the standard 500 at around $32,000, with the battery pack accounting for half of that price.

A fifth addition to the range which at the time will already include a 3-door hatch, the 500C convertible, the sporty Abarth and the zero-emissions EV, will be a five-door crossover model.

Said to be launched in 2013, it will be based on a larger platform, but will still bear the 500 moniker. The high-riding 500 will most likely debut as a concept, at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in March with the production model to be built at new plant in Serbia.

Fiat announced the release of cabrio version of its 500 model that goes by the name “500C by Gucci“. Gucci Studio customized the special edition version of the 500C in collaboration with the Fiat. The chief difference between the two models is that Giannini removed the green-red-green Gucci web pattern from the 500C’s profile and placed it on the car’s electrically operated black top.

The Fiat 500C by Gucci will be available in either white with matte chrome-plated elements or glossy black with shiny chrome-plated accents.

Fiat 500 by Gucci equipped with a 16-inch spoked alloy wheels with a double “G” logo on the hubcaps and Gucci signature in italics displayed on the tailgate and on the door pillar.

The topless model will be available for order soon and month later will be available in some Italian Fiat dealerships. In Italy, the 500C by Gucci will have a price tag of €20,000 (approx. $28,900).

FIAT has announced the new 500 TwinAir version, available for both the three-door and convertible models. The 500 TwinAir lineup comes with bespoke styling elements and upgraded equipment features. All versions are equipped with the 0.9-liter TwinAir turbocharged engine that produces 85 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. The 500 TwinAir accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11 seconds and can reach a top speed of 173 km/h (108 mph).

The TwinAir line offers new exterior styling upgrades including door handles, license plate holder and grille with a satin chrome finish, black alloy wheels and a sports kit consisting of a black tailgate spoiler and chromed exhaust tip. A piano black roof is also available as an option for the hatchback.

Inside, the 500 TwinAir sports an all-black atmosphere highlighted by the satin chrome finish of the dashboard fascia. In addition, the sport seats are covered in a mix of perforated leather and fabric.

The TwinAir Plus adds larger 16-inch wheels, manual air conditioning, leather covered steering wheel with radio controls, Blue&Me infotainment system, fog lights, ESP with ASR/MSR, brake assist and hill holder systems.

The Fiat 500 TwinAir has a starting price of $19,200 in Italy.

Fiat announced a new 500C, where ‘C’ stands for Cabrio. The 500C isn’t really a full-fledged convertible model as the Italian company opted to revive the rollback canvas roof from the original Cinquecento.

The dual-layer cloth top runs along the length of the diminutive hatchback and folds back to where the rear window would be on the tin-top version. The soft top is electrically-operated through a push button, and can retract up to the rear spoiler during speeds of up to 60 mph (96 km/h).

The new 500c offers buyers a choice of three exterior soft-top colors, 14 exterior colors, 12 unique seat colors and material combinations plus a choice of two interior trims.

Fiat has not yet disclosed details on the engine range, but expect to find the same 101HP 1.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder gasoline unit that powers its fixed roof twin. Launch dates and prices are to be announced.

The new FIAT 500 Bicolore made its debut at the Bologna Motor Show. The Bicolore model features a two-tone paint scheme in candy-apple red and white. Fiat finishes off the changes to the Bicolore by fitting it with unique alloy wheels and trimming the interior with some chrome accents.

Fiat describes the Bicolore as “an unprecedented combination that recalls the retro world of ’50s American cars and pop art.” The automaker continues, calling the special edition 500 a model “that celebrates the car’s more eco-friendly and sporty spirits.” The Bicolore is powered by one of Fiat’s most fuel efficient engines available: the turbocharged two-cylinder 0.9-liter TwinAir, which cranks out 85 horsepower.

The Bicolore is just one of several special edition 500 models that Fiat plans to launch in the coming months, so stay tuned for more.

Fiat has released the first U.S. commercial video featuring it’s 500 super-mini model urging buyers to “live their life with passion”. Priced at $15,500, the Fiat 500 will be available at 130 dealerships with a 101 hp 1.4-liter MultiAir four-cylinder engine.

The little 500 will have both manual and automatic transmissions and the all-important for the U.S. market, XXL cup-holders as standard. Customers can choose between three trim levels – Pop, Sport and Lounge, and numerous exterior and interior color combos.

Fiat announced that the first batch of its 500 mini to be sold in the States will be the Prima Edizione limited edition models. Sporting the 1.4-liter MultiAir gasoline engine, the special 500s were available in three exterior colors – white, red and grey – and sold out pretty quickly.

Those who didn’t get the chance to buy the Prima Edizione need not worry, as the regular versions are on their way.

When it goes on sale, the 500 will be available in three trim levels: Sport, Pop and Lounge. From these, the Sport model clearly stands out with its unique front and rear bumpers, side skirts and roof spoiler. The suspension will be made sportier too, while 16-inch alloys complete the upgrades over the standard versions.

An even funkier version will follow in spring of 2011, the canvas-top convertible 500C. The U.S.-spec Fiat 500 will make its debut at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show. We’ll keep an eye open for further details on specs and pricing.