The Fiat 500e is having a bad year in 2024. Its sales figures are collapsing, forcing the brand to extend the interruption of its production in Italy. The small electric car could, however, regain color with new, more affordable versions.
If Fiat is starting to develop in the field of electric cars, with its 600e and its license-free Topolino, all is not rosy. Its electric 500 is going through a complicated year and is no longer able to convince customers.
In fact, after a first production interruption in June, the lines have been shut down again since September 13, and a dispatch Reuters tells us that the resumption of production is delayed.
A critical situation
If the 500th were initially to leave the Mirafiori (Turin) factory on October 11, Stellantis has in fact warned that stopping the lines would be extended until November 1.
It must be said that the situation is not glorious. After an encouraging start in 2020, the electric Fiat 500 sees its sales collapse in 2024: between January and July, its European registrations have dropped 42% compared to 2023, and the situation is not improving.
To go further
Test of the Fiat 500: it changes everything to become (finally) electric
In question: high pricesespecially with competition now fierce, and an absence of technical or aesthetic developments since its launch; concretely, there is better for less.
A light on the horizon?
Faced with these poor results, Carlos Tavares, head of Stellantis, will travel in person and present the group’s production prospects in Italy to a parliamentary commission.
It must be said that Italy is quite angry with Stellantis, and does not hesitate to put obstacles in its way, for example by banning the name “Milano” of the Alfa Romeo SUV or by blocking Topolinos in ports because of a small sticker representing the Italian flag – the production in Serbia of the Great Panda, a national monument, did not help good relations.
Fiat still has plans to revive the attractiveness of the electric 500. A new, more accessible battery (probably LFP type) is under development, and will help lower prices; finally, a hybrid version will arrive in 2026, hoping that customers respond.
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