During press tests of the Fiat Grande Panda At the beginning of the year, a less powerful version with manual gearbox was already mentioned, without much conviction at the time. But when the hybrid version was tested this week, the rumor became reality: Fiat will launch an even more affordable, non-hybrid Grande Panda with manual gearbox by the end of the year. An obvious strategic choice, which could well reshuffle the cards in the entry-level segment... even within the range itself. Fiat.
A non-hybridized Fiat Grande Panda to broaden the range
Fiat seems to be taking direct inspiration from Citroën, which has already paved the way with the new C3 thermo, sold for around €16,000 with the 1.2L 100 hp engine and 6-speed manual gearbox. This same engine also powers the Jeep Avenger, which in its non-hybrid entry-level version is now the 4th best-selling vehicle in Italy.
Clearly, Fiat would be wrong not to offer a simple, efficient thermal Grande Panda at a low price. All the more so as the hybrid model starts at €18,900, a price which for many is beyond the psychological threshold of an "entry-level" car. If this future internal combustion version comes in at around €16,000 to €17,000, Fiat could hit the market hard.
The other question: will this low-cost version be available throughout Europe? It's a safe bet. In spite of the various ecological penalties, the non-hybrid Citroën C3 and the diesel-powered Jeep Avenger are already offered in most European countries with the same 1.2L 100 hp block, which has become an entry-level standard within the Stellantis group. Logically, Fiat should follow suit and make this internal combustion version of the Grande Panda widely available, thus attracting a wider range of price-conscious customers.
And where does Panda fit into all this?
But this strategy raises a fundamental question: what will become of the current Panda? Still sold at 15 900 €she finds herself caught between :
- a more modern but slightly more expensive Grande Panda hybrid,
- and soon a thermal Grande Panda which could be the same price, but much more spacious and modern.
Under these conditions, it's hard to imagine the little Panda maintaining its current position without evolving. Lower prices? Better standard equipment? Gradual end of career? Fiat will need to clarify its strategy quickly, as cannibalization seems inevitable.
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