Fiat needs to make up for misplaced time with mild vehicles

The Fiat Punto exited manufacturing in 2018, and the model has been with no mild automotive in Europe since then.

That’s set to vary.

Fiat is looking its new 600e a substitute for the Punto, and it’ll be joined by a brand new electrical Panda. Fiat can be weighing a new-generation Punto, additionally with electrical energy.

However Fiat might have had a Punto substitute quite a bit sooner, in response to firm CEO Oliver Francois.

“Again then, in 2013, we did have a challenge to switch Punto,” stated Mr Francois.

The third-generation Punto had debuted in 2005 on a then-new platform co-developed with Common Motors as a part of the 2 companies’ short-lived tie-up.

Nevertheless it had been left to wither, receiving a number of facelifts as an alternative of a brand new era, and was axed with out substitute in 2018.

Its axing got here shortly after Euro NCAP re-tested the hatchback, giving it the authority’s first-ever zero-star score.

Mr Francois confirmed an authentic sketch of the proposed Punto substitute, resembling the outgoing 500X – and subsequently wanting like a larger-scale 500 metropolis automotive.

“[Sergio] Marchionne was skeptical concerning the B-segment, too aggressive, not worthwhile sufficient, so we got here up with a much bigger 500 they usually favored the thought,” stated Antonio Massacesi, head of recent merchandise at Fiat, referring to the previous Fiat Chrysler Cars (FCA) CEO.

“Extra aspirational than a Punto or a Fiesta or a Clio, therefore, a lot better pricing, so we deliberate it they usually authorised it.

“Then few months later, we needed to cease it, then it was a go once more, then cease once more, as a result of really to make it correctly we wanted a complete new platform, the previous platform from the Grande Punto was out-of-date each on security and emissions and not one of the different manufacturers might share the associated fee.

“So, a complete new platform for only one automotive? It was a no-go.”

Now that Fiat is a part of Stellantis, nevertheless, it has entry to extra platforms that may be shared throughout a number of manufacturers.

Below FCA, the one different model promoting autos as small as a Punto or 500 was Lancia (Dodge has offered rebadged Hyundai and Mitsubishi fashions this dimension, however solely in Mexico), which made platform-sharing troublesome.

Fiat’s new 600e, in distinction, shares underpinnings with fashions from DS, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot.

Whereas Fiat has been with no mild automotive in its residence market, leaving a niche between the five hundred and Panda metropolis vehicles and the Tipo small automotive, its Latin American operations have had the Argo hatch and Cronos sedan to supply patrons on this phase.