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8 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 7 AUGUST 2019
F
iat is planning a major
two-pronged renewal
of its European range
centred around its two
biggest sellers: the 500 and
Panda. The new 500 is due to
b e l a u n c h e d a s a p u r e - e l e c tr i c
model in the middle of 2020.
Also on the way are the 500
Giardiniera estate, a new 500X
and a Tipo replacement that’s
likely to be an SUV.
The latest elements of the
strategy were debated at a
high-level meeting in Fiat
Chrysler Automobiles’ Turin
design centre late last month,
led by Fiat CEO Olivier François.
Talking to Autocar about
that meeting, François said:
“Fiat has a double mission.
Urban mobility is core today,
but at the same time, it
means family transportation.
In southern Europe, this is
especially true.”
This means Fiat will
continue to offer small cars
like the Panda and 500 – in
Europe, Fiat dominates this
market, the pair accounting
for one third of city car sales
- and also a range of larger
vehicles suitable for families.
“For our future product
plan, we need the right balance
between the two dimensions:
the Fiat 500 family and family
transportation. There will
be no big cars, no premium
cars, no sporty cars because
they have no legitimacy,” said
François. “We will be present
in the C-segment [Ford Focus
class] but not much more. All
All-electric 500 to spearhead
Fiat’s five-model renewal plan
New EV-only 500 to head upmarket next year. New Panda, SUVs and estate planned
IMAGE
Centroventi concept
previews the new
Panda, due in 2021