Some records are measured in horsepower, top speed, or lap times. And then there are those that tell a different story: a car’s popularity, the attachment of its owners, and a model’s ability to stand the test of time. This weekend, in Pandino, Lombardy, the Fiat Panda has once again proven that it is much more than just a city car.
The 2026 edition of «Panda a Pandino» set a new record by bringing together 1,219 enthusiasts from all over Europe over the course of the three-day event. This unprecedented figure confirms the growing success of this gathering, which has become, over the years, a true popular phenomenon.
A sea of pandas in the streets of Pandino
For three days, from June 19 to 21, the small Italian town of Pandino was transformed into the European capital of the Fiat Panda. Hundreds of cars arrived from Italy, as well as from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and other European countries, demonstrating the enduring popularity of the model.
A total of 693 Pandas were on site at the same time on the main day of the rally. This impressive number filled the historic center and the area around Visconti Castle with small Italian city cars of all generations. The organizers also announced that 597 cars had participated in the traditional «Panda Giro,» the parade that takes the crews out onto the region’s roads. This long, colorful procession is one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the weekend every year.
A passion that spans generations
What stands out in Pandino is the diversity of the cars on display. The first Pandas from the 1980s sit alongside the now-iconic 4×4 versions, the special editions from the 1990s, and the most recent models still sold today. Some cars have several hundred thousand kilometers on the odometer, while others have been carefully restored or customized. But they all tell a story. For many owners, the Panda was the family’s first car—the one used for vacations, daily commutes, or mountain drives. This simplicity undoubtedly explains the event’s success. Here, it’s not about performance or prestige. Above all, owners come to share memories, exchange stories, and celebrate a car that has accompanied several generations of Italians and Europeans.
A phenomenon that has become unavoidable
What began almost as a joke inspired by the name of the town of Pandino and the Fiat Panda, the rally gradually took on an unexpected scale. The 2025 edition had already set a record with 1,063 registered cars. A year later, the symbolic 1,200-participant mark was surpassed, with 1,219 enthusiasts in attendance. The organizers celebrated this new record with a simple message posted on social media: «1,219 grazie ❤️.».
This success confirms that the Panda remains one of the most endearing cars on the European automotive scene. As the model continues to evolve and the automotive industry undergoes rapid change, the little Fiat proves that it still possesses something rare: the ability to bring thousands of people together simply for the joy of sharing a common passion.
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