The Panda - the small Fiat which in its history has exceeded 8 million units sold - will continue to be produced in the Italian plant in Pomigliano d'Arco, Campania, at least until 2027.
Production in the factory will increase from mid-March by approximately 20% to meet demand in Italy and Europe.
This was announced by Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat and global marketing director of Stellantis, in a press conference at the Campania factory where the Panda has been produced since 2011. Fiat has chosen to unveil the new Fiat Pandina special series on 29 February to make homage to the historic launch of the first Panda in 1980, presented to the President of the Republic Sandro Pertini on the same date.
The Pandina will be produced from June in Pomigliano and will arrive in the main European markets in the summer, while on 11 July the electric Panda which will be made in Serbia will be presented in Turin.
"We want to relaunch the Panda outside Italy too, there is no product like this and there are no competitors other than Asians. I like the idea that Pomigliano is also a defense of Europe in the field of frugal, well-made cars , but small", underlines Francois.
Alongside him was a delegation of 4,300 workers: "We are here to stay. Our production - they say - is growing year after year. 59% of the cars produced in Pomigliano are sold in Italy, 11% in the rest of Europe ".
"This factory has a future and today we have amply demonstrated it. We are investing in this very important product which must remain in the range for as long as possible. Until 2027 with certainty, I hope even beyond. It will also depend on the regulatory conditions", explains Francois who thanks the Ministry of Made in Italy "because the new incentive scheme that will come into force shortly will be a fundamental stimulus for production in our Italian factories. Not only Pomigliano and the Panda, but also Mirafiori and the electric 500.
Photo story La Panda in Pomigliano until 2027 - Photo - Ansa.it
In the Turin factory, production will increase with even more important numbers".
The objective is to "focus heavily on the Panda which today has an 8% market share in Italy.
There are absolutely no doubts about the future of Pomigliano.
There will be a family of products inspired by the Panda", underlines the manager.
The unions speak "of a breath of fresh air for Pomigliano", but ask that the future of the plant and employment be secured with mass models after 2027. "It is necessary to strengthen the production mission.
Today's is a positive signal, but it remains central, in perspective, to think about a new model for mass consumption" explains the national secretary of the Fim Cisl Ferdinando Uliano. "It is wise for Stellantis to focus not only on full electric models, but also on more traditional engines, as well as on models more accessible to consumers, just like the Panda", says Gianluca Ficco, national secretary of Uilm and head of the auto sector. The choices announced today are the consequence of the sense of responsibility of workers which in recent years have allowed the site important results in terms of quality and productivity", adds Samuele Lodi, Fiom national secretary and mobility sector manager.
Europe".
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