Fiat will sell a 100% electric version of its new Panda for less than 25,000 euros, announced on Thursday the CEO of one of the main brands of the Stellantis group, Olivier François. The new vehicle, produced in Serbia, completes the offer of affordable electric vehicles of the Franco-Italian-American automotive group, together with the Citroën e-C3, in view of the upcoming offensive of ultra-competitive Chinese electric cars.
“Affordability is never an option with a Fiat,” Olivier François said at a ceremony to mark Fiat’s 125th anniversary in his hometown of Turin.
Also present at the event were Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, group chairman John Elkann and Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, who had some heated exchanges with the carmaker earlier this year.
Hybrid and gasoline version
Roma has repeatedly criticised the group for the decline in its production in Italy and the relocation abroad of certain models of historic Italian brands such as Fiat and Alfa Romeo.
The new Panda will also be available in hybrid versions and with a traditional petrol engine. It is the first step in the renewal of the Fiat range, with the aim of moving away from relying primarily on small models, and adding larger vehicles to the portfolio.
Fiat plans to launch three more models as part of its plan, one per year until 2027: a pick-up, a coupé saloon and a small SUV in a high-growth segment that delights with vehicles such as the Dacia Duster from the Renault group.
All new Fiat models will be based on Stellantis’ low-cost, multi-energy “Smart Car” platform, launched with the new Citroën C3. However, the new Panda will not immediately replace the current model, production of which at the Italian factory in Pomigliano could last until 2029.
Source: BFM TV
