Alexandre
The Fiat Grande Pandaannounced with great fanfare as the first model in the new global range of Fiatwas originally scheduled to arrive on the market by the end of 2024. However, according to unofficial information relayed by Fiat dealers, first deliveries are now not expected until January 2025. A postponement that raises many questions.
A strategic car for Fiat
The Fiat Grande Panda, unveiled five months agorepresents a major evolution for the Italian manufacturer. With its 4-meter dimensions and design inspired by the Panda of the 1980s, it is positioned as a compact family city car, adapted to the needs of European and international markets. Available in electric and hybrid versions, the Grande Panda is based on Stellantis' STLA Smart multi-energy platform, shared with the Citroën ë-C3.
Its competitive price, with an electric version available from €15,900 in France (after deduction of the environmental bonus), makes it a serious competitor to the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 electric models. However, despite its potential, the Fiat Grande Panda seems to suffer from the same pitfalls as its cousin the Citroën ë-C3.
Delays linked to the same software problems on the Citroën ë-C3?
The first deliveries of the Citroën ë-C3 in France revealed a number of technical problems that quickly made the rounds on forums and social networks. Among the malfunctions identified:
- Overspeed warning cannot be deactivated
- Faulty reading of traffic signs
- Automatic wipers and central control inoperative
- Window regulator failure
- Indications of outside temperature, range and fuel consumption missing from dashboard
- Lane-keeping assist and automatic light switching inoperative
- Problems with central locking and passenger airbag
- Unavailability of connected services
These defects, related to software problemsThese require manual updating in the workshop, as vehicles cannot be updated remotely. Stellantis has therefore decided to prioritize the correction of these problems on the Citroën ë-C3 before launching the Fiat Grande Panda, to avoid a chaotic start-up.
A prudent strategy to guarantee quality
Fiat, aware of the expectations raised by the Grande Panda, seems to want to take the time needed to deliver a vehicle free of major bugs. This could prove to be a wise choice, even if the postponement of deliveries may frustrate French customers who have already placed orders.
The Stellantis Group, which has yet to make an official statement on these delays, may also be influenced by internal priorities. Production of the Citroën ë-C3, intended for programs such as "social leasing" in France, would have required increased resource allocation, postponing the start of lines for the Grande Panda.
Arrival scheduled for January 2025
According to Fiat dealers, the Grande Panda is scheduled for delivery in January 2025. This wait could allow Fiat to correct the shortcomings observed on the Citroën ë-C3 and ensure an optimal user experience. What's more, this period would coincide with a more favourable calendar for capturing the interest of post-holiday consumers.
Despite this slight delay, the Fiat Grande Panda remains a strategic model for Fiat. With its electric engine, 320 km range and a competitive priceIt's sure to appeal to a wide audience, while we wait for the launch of the combustion-hybrid version! And for the impatient, there is always the Fiat Panda thermal hybrid 2025that won't have any software bugs.
What scares me is the STELLANTIS group: not a single Italian brand has been spared.
- Maserati is in a bad, bad way.
- Alfa is average (sales are down)
Lancia , fingers crossed.
-Abarth is not what we expected.
-Fiat sales back on track
- we're throwing the PSA puretech at the Italians, even though it's the biggest piece of crap in years.
Etc...
It's scary, even very scary.
I couldn't agree with you more.
I'm even more pessimistic than you.
I've never seen a fiat 600 on the road, the same goes for the Y, and the junior isn't even in dealerships, and I live next door to a fiat/Alfa/Jeep agency.
You know what, well this garage starts selling Mitsubischi, Seat and Skoda !!!!
More reliability problems at Stellantis with the e-C3, which won't surprise many people.
All Peugeot-Citroën products are to be avoided.
Better still, it's better to postpone the launch of the Grande Panda rather than plummeting it at the time of launch.
Como é que a Stellantis consegue falhar em coisas tão básicas??
That's what ultra-low-cost means. Starting from a PSA by Tavares base is obviously a waste of time, money and reputation.
Postponing deliveries to 2025 also makes it easier to comply with the 81 g/km average for CO2 emissions... But thanks to Citroën for wiping the slate clean, I also remember the leaks in the Ami, the doors that opened on the road, the locks that didn't work... Maybe we should stop taking Citroën models with Puretech engines and re-bodying them as Fiat cars, in fact. The current Fiat Panda is one of the most reliable models in Europe, which also explains its success, so Fiat can't afford to disappoint.
I bought a jeep avenger hybrid, and after 10 days and 351 km, the automatic gearbox broke. As a result, I've been driving a 17-year-old Fiat 500 for 5 weeks, fortunately on loan from the garage, because at jeep Stellantis, they wash their hands of it.
A Stellantis está a matar as marcas italianas. Tavares é o pior Ceo da história da indústria automóvel europeia.
All the Jeep Avenger's powertrains and platform come from Peugeot, and unfortunately it's a real disaster when it comes to reliability.
In fact, Stellentis wants all the brands and can't manage it. They're like puzzle pieces (Citroën parts for one Fiat Alfa with gearbox and engine parts for another brand... in short, everything Stellentis has avoided... too bad for some models italienne🤷🏻♂️