Alexandre
The legendary Fiat Panda, recently renamed "Pandinawill continue to run for many years to come. Production is guaranteed until at least 2030. This announcement, made by Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, confirms the brand's commitment to this emblematic model, despite a rapidly changing automotive era.
The decision to extend Fiat Panda production beyond initial forecasts (originally due to end in 2026, it has now been extended to the end of 2027) demonstrates Stellantis' confidence in the long-term viability of this model. Manufactured at the Pomigliano d'Arco plant, the Panda will continue to meet European emissions requirements, while remaining an important pillar of the Italian market.
Alongside this announcement, Carlos Tavares revealed that Stellantis would be investing a substantial sum in this model, which is still on the market. one of Italy's bestsellers. This financial support comes as no surprise, given the Panda's unwavering popularity, with over 106,000 units sold and a total of 130,000 in the rest of Europe.
As for the brand's future, a new generation of Fiat Panda is also in the pipeline. It will become an SUV, marking a clear break with the current model. This is a strategic move, enabling Fiat to position the two generations of Panda in distinct market segments without cannibalizing each other.
The continuation of Pandina production until the end of the decade also reflects Stellantis' strategy, in line with their ambitious goal of producing a million cars a year. Perhaps the experience of the electric 500 has taught us that it's not so easy to replace a best-seller with a new model.
And that's a very good thing! With over 100,000 units sold in just one year, after so many years in the market, and in just one country, we have to ask ourselves whether it's really worth replacing it and doing away with it, in favor of a new version that will be much more expensive and offer EVs.
It should make the same effort to maintain the current 500 thermal. The electrical architecture shouldn't be that different from that of the Panda. And so adapting it to the latest GSR2 standards and its electronic (gadget) devices shouldn't be too onerous. I'd rather that than see the 500 EV pachyderm converted to combustion. In my opinion, the VT (i.e. the 2005 500) is more cheerful, slimmer and much more economical to buy, if not more modernly equipped.
You're absolutely right! And the electric 500 has put on less weight than the mini, but it does lose some of its charm with those extra kilos!
Stellantis is realizing that all-electricity isn't catching on in some countries, particularly Italy.
You can't force people to buy what they don't want, for many reasons (price, lack of infrastructure, convenience, etc.).
The Pandina is the perfect economical and practical little car, so it obviously had to be extended.
We're now waiting for the new Fiat 500 hybrid.
The transition with the future panda I hope will be in the respect of the current model because stellantis multiplies the errors fiat should have rethought its commercial strategy before all John elkhan should re-examine his copy also on the sales in Europe Fiat devisse whereas in other countries it is in full form seeks the error