Arnaud Belloni, the new head of Fiat, Lancia, and Abarth, certainly has a way with words. After recently stating that Lancia enthusiasts « are passionate about cars that no longer exist »…and even though they now drive Audis, Mercedes, or Teslas, the executive is tackling a different topic this time: SUVs. In an interview with the British media outlet Coach, he recounts his own experience with these vehicles, which have become ubiquitous. And clearly, he doesn't have particularly fond memories of them.
«I bought an SUV, like almost everyone else.»
It was while discussing the future of family cars at Fiat Arnaud Belloni shared this insight. The executive is convinced that minivans still have a future, despite their near-disappearance in favor of SUVs. And to explain why, he doesn’t hesitate to share his own experience as a father. «I have twins, and when they were born, I had a minivan. Then I bought an SUV, like almost everyone else. And I thought to myself: Yeah, it’s nice, but I’m really disappointed with the in-car experience.»
A statement that sums up the paradox of today’s auto market quite well. SUVs appeal to consumers with their styling, elevated driving position, and image, but do they really offer families a better experience than the minivans they have gradually replaced? For Arnaud Belloni, the answer seems to be no. And the executive has no intention of simply accepting this conclusion. He now wants Fiat to offer an alternative.
Fiat wants to reinvent the minivan—without taking a step backward
«I’m convinced there’s room for both,» explains Arnaud Belloni, referring to SUVs and minivans. In fact, it’s one of the priorities he set for himself when he took the helm at Fiat: to create the next-generation minivan. But make no mistake—this isn’t about reviving the minivans of the 2000s. «It will be based on SUV concepts, because we’re not going back to the way things were: large wheels, the same platforms, but all reinterpreted,» he clarifies.
This vision is already taking shape with the Fiat Multiplay concept, unveiled at the 2026 Paris Motor Show. With its unique architecture—a cross between an SUV, a pickup truck, and a minivan—it clearly echoes the philosophy of the 1998 Fiat Multipla, famous for its spacious interior and three front seats. For Belloni, this concept is «incredibly important» and «absolutely relevant.» He also points out that the Multipla is probably the only Fiat family car name that has truly left a lasting impression across Europe.
The Fiat Multiplay could become a reality within two to three years
Fiat’s design director, François Leboine, sees the Multiplay as a concept for the «post-SUV» era. The goal is to recapture the practical qualities of a minivan while offering a vehicle attractive enough to win over SUV buyers. A production version under 4.50 meters is being considered, but nothing has been decided yet. Fiat will need to strike the right balance between originality, interior space, and price, while reusing existing components from the Stellantis group.
As for the timeline, Arnaud Belloni estimates it will take at least two to three years, «if we move quickly.» It remains to be seen whether drivers are ready to return to a vehicle that prioritizes the in-car experience over appearance. But one thing is certain: after having himself succumbed to the SUV craze, Fiat’s new CEO seems determined to offer something different.
English 
French 
Italian 
Spanish 
German 
Japanese 
Dutch