The Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares is scheduled to meet with union representatives in Turin on Monday, where he is expected to unveil a significant development for the company’s Mirafiori factory.
Sources from within the supply chain have indicated that the full-electric Fiat 500e will soon be joined by a new model featuring a mild-hybrid ICE engine.
This strategic move is anticipated to provide a substantial uplift for the Mirafiori plant, which currently produces the electric 500e. The introduction of a mild-hybrid variant is a notable shift, given that the platform for the 500e was originally intended exclusively for electric vehicles. The integration of a gasoline option demonstrates Stellantis’s flexibility and responsiveness to market demands.
The Fiat 500 Future Plans:
The current gasoline version of the Fiat 500, which debuted in 2007, was manufactured in Poland. However, production at that facility has already ceased. The proposed new model, built alongside the 500e at Mirafiori, will be slightly larger and will cater to a broader segment of consumers who prefer hybrid technology.
According to suppliers who spoke to Automotive News Europe, Stellantis Italy has issued requests for quotations (RFQs) to ramp up production of the 500 series with two distinct powertrains, targeting an annual output of 200,000 units. This figure includes 125,000 units of the new gasoline-hybrid model. This planned increase marks a significant rise from the 77,260 units of the 500e produced in 2023, reflecting Stellantis’s aggressive growth strategy.
The information about this production expansion was initially reported by the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera and later confirmed by suppliers in March. These suppliers, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the information, revealed that Stellantis had approached them for quotations to elevate the production of the 500e to 175,000 units per year.
This announcement is poised to bring significant economic benefits to the Mirafiori factory and the local community, reinforcing Stellantis’s commitment to maintaining and expanding its manufacturing footprint in Italy. The introduction of the mild-hybrid gasoline engine to the Fiat 500 lineup is expected to enhance the brand’s appeal, offering consumers a versatile and eco-friendly option in the compact car segment.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve with a growing emphasis on sustainable technologies, Stellantis’s decision to diversify the powertrain options for the Fiat 500 underscores the company’s innovative approach to meeting diverse consumer needs and regulatory demands. The upcoming meeting between Carlos Tavares and the unions will likely set the stage for this exciting new chapter in the storied history of the Fiat 500.
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