In Algeria, the industrial transition initiated by Fiat and Stellantis takes a surprising turn for thousands of customers. While some orders for Fiat 500s, whose local production has been halted, have never been honored, an unexpected solution has just been officially confirmed: these undelivered vehicles can be replaced by the new Fiat Grande Panda, produced locally at Tafraoui, near Oran.
This information has been confirmed by the El Baraka Algérie bank, Stellantis El Djazaïr's partner in car financing. When asked about the fate of Fiat 500 orders placed via bank credit but still awaiting delivery, the bank cleared up any ambiguity: these files will automatically be switched to the Fiat Grande Panda, due to go on sale next February. This solution only concerns customers who have already begun the financing process. It aims to avoid outright cancellations, while enabling Stellantis to maintain commercial continuity.
A transfer subject to customer agreement
Contrary to what one might imagine, the model changeover will not be unconditional. Each customer concerned will have to be contacted individually to give his or her explicit agreement to replace the Fiat 500 with a Grande Panda. Another key point remains to be clarified: the price. The Fiat Grande Panda will be sold at a higher price than the Fiat 500, which has been assembled in Algeria until now. Customers will have the choice of accepting the new financial conditions or opting out.
Confirmation of a transition already announced
This announcement did not come out of the blue. Last autumn, Stellantis made it official phasing out of Fiat 500 production at the Tafraoui plant. More than 50,000 vehicles had been assembled there since December 2023, mostly Fiat 500 hybrids for the local market. But the model had reached the end of its life cycle. The 500 produced in Algeria no longer matched the Group's medium-term ambitions. The Grande Panda, which will also be produced locally, was the natural replacement. It now remains to be seen how the Algerian public will welcome this new model, destined to become the face of Fiat in the country for years to come.
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So they've decided to stop producing a vehicle without fulfilling pending orders, and are "graciously" offering buyers another model instead, which will cost them more?
Is it me or is there a little problem with customer service?
Yes, I agree that they should contact us so that they take our details seriously and our confirmation for this second order. The people in charge of this factory to confirm our request is taken into consideration, thank you in advance. I am one of those applicants who have placed an order for FIAT 500.
I have to admit I'm having trouble understanding the way the Stellantis group works and is organized, as there are a lot of inconsistencies.
Das mit der Bezahlung ist nicht ok das ist Ausbeutung. Moderne Sklaverei
It's not serious.
2 years waiting for a fiat x500 or doblo, despite I often see these vehicles washed out on the road is- west .!!!??
Vengo dall'Algeria e voglio acquistare un Grand Panda, ma ci sono molte difficoltà e non è ancora disponibile, sono solo chiacchiere e il pubblico sta andando verso la perdita di credibilità.
No way to follow the progress of the distribution since no confirmation, no number and no date of registration is formulated by the fiat algerie group as Sonacome once did by providing registration forms with number and date, so you just have to wait your turn in total transparency.personally my son tried to register on the first day of the launch of the fiat doblo at the Bordj bouareridj dealership but they asked them to deposit the copy of the identity card and leave and unfortunately no follow-up to date.