Alexandre
Launched with great fanfare in 2020, right in the middle of COVID, the electric Fiat 500 symbolized the transition of the Turin-based manufacturer Fiat towards cleaner mobility. Its first years on the market were marked by encouraging sales: 10,000 units in 2020, followed by 44,000 in 2021, a peak of 66,000 in 2022, and a slight stabilization at 65,000 in 2023. And yet, 2024 saw a sharp drop in volumes, with only just over 20,000 units expected according to Italian trade unions. This figure illustrates a worrying trend: Mirafiori plant idlesand the appeal of the electric Fiat 500 is waning. Why?
A small electric city car for a fierce, pragmatic market
The initial success of the electric Fiat 500 was based on its novelty status and the generouss aids to purchase in Europeparticularly in France and Germany. But over the years, these subsidies have been reduceddirectly affecting the attractiveness of electric models.
At the same time, competition has intensified. Between 2020 and 2024, the market welcomed a wave of more competitive electric models. In 2024, you could buy a Tesla Model 3 for around €40,000, an MG4 for €30,000, or a Volvo EX30 for €39,000. These vehicles, although in higher categories than the electric Fiat 500, offer more generous benefits in terms of autonomy and versatility.
Compared with these rivals, the current electric Fiat 500, priced at €34,000, suffers from obvious limitations A range of 330 km (which is actually more like 220-250 km) and 118 horsepower, designed for strictly urban use. And yet.., the market for the Fiat 500 segment exists in the past, more than 180,000 of them were sold every year.
What does the future hold for the current electric Fiat 500?
In the electric segment, price and range are two decisive criteria. In 2024, these two aspects work against the electric Fiat 500. Designed as a chic, trendy city car, it struggles to compete with more modern, versatile models. One of the reasons why it is unable to break into the North American market. Consumers are more pragmatic, preferring vehicles capable of meeting a variety of needs, often at more competitive prices.
The final blow could come from Stellantis himself. Carlos Tavares, then CEO of the Group, confirmed invest 100 million euros in an advanced version of the electric Fiat 500 is launched. Future model promises to be less expensive, with greater rangewhich could make the current version even less attractive.
For consumers, this announcement raises an obvious question: is it worth investing in an electric Fiat 500 today? when a much-improved version is imminent? The answer is probably no, because the release of the new model in 2025 (we hope) will result in a significant drop in the residual value of the current version.
A transition is necessary: prices must be lowered
For Fiat, the transition to the new model in 2025 represents a strategic challenge. In order to limit losses and maintain interest in the current electric Fiat 500, it would be in the manufacturer's interest to significantly lower its price as of January 2025. Such an initiative could temporarily boost sales and ensure a smooth transition between the two generations.
It was stupid to stop thermal...
They succeeded in modernizing the Panda to pass GSR2 standards, which were the reason for its discontinuation in Europe. Why didn't they do it on the 500?
So if I've understood correctly, in 2025 we have a sort of phase 2 with better range and lower cost, and in 2027 it's the replacement on STLA Small?
It's going to be a long time between now and then. What scares me about the STLA Small (a modernized version of the CMP1) is that it's fitted to cars that are generally larger (B segment) and that come in 5-door versions... If they don't make the effort to come out with a 3-door mini city car, I'm afraid the sauce won't take.
Replacement of the current 500th has already been postponed (to 2029?).
Making an excellent city car like the Fiat 500e and selling it at far too high a price is a recipe for sluggish sales. Add to this a range that's a little too short, and insufficient recharging infrastructure in many countries, and the result is low sales. Stellantis' fault lies in understanding this years late, and seeing a thermal version arrive very late.
And what's worse, Abarth is doing the same with the 500e and 600e, with all-electric power.
eAutos sollte man derzeit eh nur 2 bis 3 Jahre leasen da gebraucht fast unverkäuflich und der Wertverlust unkalkulierbar.
Ich zahl 99 im Monat für unser 3. Auto Fiat 500e ein absolutes Kultauto und Hingucker und werden dafür beneidet von vielen.
Er hat ähnlichen Kult wie der Mini vor 15 Jahren. Jeder hat seine Zeit ...
フィアットはデザインが大好きです
現在の形で助手席スライドドア見たいな事ができたら日本の電池メーカーと手を組んで
航続距離をのばせば僕は買いますよ!
現在ガソリン車のフィアット500乗りです
Meine Entscheidung gegen die Anschaffung eines 500 (jetzt egal ob Benziner oder Stromer) war ganz klar die fehlende Alltagstauglichkeit. Statt eines Kofferraums gibt es nur einen "Handtaschenraum". Für Familieneinkaufe alles auf den Rücksitz schmeissen? Und dabei noch ein 3-türer? Nein danke.