AUBURN HILLS, MI — (WWJ) In advance of it’s LA Auto Show debut, Fiat has sent out a photo of its new electric car, the Fiat 500e.

This is the first electric vehicle from the Chrysler group, and CEO Sergio Marchionne has admitted that they will lose money on each one they sell. But the car is needed to meet California electric vehicle mandates.

That’s why Fiat will launche the 500e in California first, then move it to other markets.

“The all-new battery-electric Fiat 500e brings Italian flavor to the electric vehicle market with a unique combination of iconic 500 design, performance and range,” reads a brief statement that accompanied the photo. “The zero-emission Fiat 500e will premiere on the “green carpet” of the American Music Awards on Sunday, November 18, and will be showcased to the general public for the first time at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Fiat 500e will be available in the state of California in 2013.”

Fiat will give more details of the 500e at a LA Auto Show press conference scheduled for November 28th. The public will get a quick glimpse of the vehicle on the “green carpet” at the American Music Awards on Sunday, November 18.