Fiat Panda To Join The Crossover Party, New Product Lines Due In 2015

by Derek Kreindler

March 7th, 2013 7:55 PM

fiat panda to join the crossover party new product lines due in 2015

The latest member of the fast-growing “ European small crossover club” will likely be the Fiat Panda, which will get a model that will grow in size, to compete against C-Segment SUVs.

The Panda crossover would fight a battle on two fronts, taking on the wildly popular Nissan Qashqai and the Skoda Yeti in the mainstream arena while also going after premium models like the Audi X1 and Audi Q3. The current Panda range, which includes an all-wheel drive version with faux-rugged cladding and a higher ride height, has won critical acclaim from European motoring journalists. The previous generation Panda 100 hot hatchback has been praised as one of the most fun drives at any price, and a new version will also join the range to enhance the range’s sporting credentials.

But the larger, crossover-style Panda will play an important role for ailing Fiat, along with the 500X crossover, which is somewhat larger than the standard 500. The 500 and the Panda will be the focal point of Fiat’s branding, as the Panda and 500 are judged to have the deepest emotional attachment with consumers. But contrary to popular reports, other model lines like the Punto, Bravo and Freemont aren’t going anywhere. All new versions are set to debut in 2015 to complement the 500 and Panda.

#Crossover #Fiat #Fiat500 #Fiat500x #FiatBravo #FiatFreemont #FiatPanda #FiatPunto #SUV

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8 comments

Th009 on Mar 08, 2013

Marchionne didn't actually say that the Panda derivative would go after the (BMW) X1 and (Audi) Q3. Those just happen to be in the same segment in terms of size. He also didn't say (according to AutoExpress) that there would be all-new Punto, Bravo and Freemont, just that they would be "in better shape". That could mean anything from a price drop to a facelift.

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Derek Kreindler on Mar 08, 2013

Two things 1) I didn't quote him saying any of that. 2) The information in this articles corresponds with information I've discussed with people at Chrysler/Fiat.

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- Th009 on Mar 08, 2013
  
  So Chrysler/Fiat people are saying that the Panda CUV will compete with Audi and BMW? And they have told you that there will be redesigns of Punto, Bravo and Freemont in 2015? Because all Marchionne's published product plan has in it is a Freemont facelift in 2015, nothing at all for Punto or Bravo. So if there will actually be three full redesigns, you have an exclusive on that information ... and it's worth more than a passing mention at the end of a Panda article.
  
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- Marcelo de Vasconcellos on Mar 08, 2013
  
  @th009 Hey th009! What Derek worte goes very well with what I've heard from Fiat Braail people. 13-14 will be dim years in fact for Fiat and Fiat consumers, with the exception of the Panda and 500x nothing new coming out. Last yea, everything got interrupted. Now, slowly but surely things on the development side a picking up again. The explanation I hear is twofold: - Chrysler was a bigger mess than expected so much of their attention has benn going into that with a very hands-on approach that at first was not thought as so necessary; - They think they can keep the group profitable on Chtysler US growth so they are taking their time in sorting out their own problems, and have made a commitment to putting out very compelling cars in 15-16. Lots of blah blah blah, I know but it shows what they're doing, in other words, they're thinking it through instead of relying on knee jerk reactions to market conditions.
  
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Bobman on Mar 08, 2013

I wonder if the Panda will be built at the same Melfi plant as the 500X and the new Jeep assuming that it will share the same platform as those vehicles. What will differentiate the Panda, from a marketing perspective, especially considering it will be expected to 'go after premium models like the Audi X1 and Audi Q3'.

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Landcrusher on Mar 08, 2013

Making several versions of the 500 and Panda may ruin the "emotional attachment". If Panda moves up to the C market, it's no longer a Panda.

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- Lorenzo on Mar 08, 2013
  
  Corolla moved up from the B segment to C and Altima moved up from C to D with no problems. Even the Sentra moved up from B to C - it's now the same size as the 1993-97 first generation Altima. There are American examples too, like the Thunderbird which moved from two seater to full size four door to midsize coupe, merrily selling all the way. Size isn't everything, despite what my girlfriend says.
  
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- Hummer on Mar 09, 2013
  
  @Lorenzo Only reason they moved up a segment is because an even smaller niche segment entered the market, Smart, IQ, spark, etc So really the only thing that changed is the letters, they're still small cars, albiet with several hundred pounds of additional Gov't crap.
  
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