Fiat 500 and Abarth 595 Retired After 17 Years on Sale
The End of an Era for the Fiat 500
The petrol-powered Fiat 500 has officially been taken off the market after a successful 17-year run. This move comes as Fiat prepares to launch the new-shape 500 Ibrida next year.
According to a spokesperson for Fiat UK, the order books for the 500 Hybrid have closed, but dealerships still have enough stock to last until the new year. The same situation applies to the sporty siblings of the city car, the Abarth 595 and 695.
The Arrival of the Fiat 500 Ibrida
The new Fiat 500 Ibrida, which is essentially the electric Fiat 500e retrofitted with the 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine from the outgoing model, is set to be launched in early 2025. However, unlike the 500 Hybrid, the 500 Ibrida will not be produced in Tychy, Poland. Production will instead take place at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, on the same line as the 500e.
Fiat CEO Olivier François sees this move as a commitment to the Italian car industry, emphasizing that Italy is “our driving force and our future.” François explained that slow sales of the 500e led to the development of the 500 Ibrida, stating, “It’s very important for us to meet every expectation wherever we go.”
However, François also acknowledged the challenges faced by the automotive industry, including the unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and shortages of raw materials. Despite these challenges, Fiat remains committed to sustainable solutions and adapting to the realities of the market.
Changes in the Fiat Line-Up
In addition to the discontinuation of the Fiat 500, Fiat UK is also pulling the closely related Panda from its line-up. The Panda will be replaced by the new Grande Panda, a larger crossover offering mild-hybrid petrol and electric powertrains.
With the Fiat 500 and Panda out of production, the only Fiat models available for order will be the 500e and the larger 600. The 600 will temporarily be the only new Fiat car with a petrol engine.
Overall, the retirement of the Fiat 500 and Abarth 595 marks the end of an era for these iconic models. However, Fiat is looking towards the future with the launch of the 500 Ibrida and the Grande Panda, continuing its commitment to innovation and sustainability.
