Fiat Panda has closed its chapter in the UK market after 12 years. This marks the end of a 21-year success story for the model, which has managed to maintain an affordable price, remaining one of the few vehicles available for less than £15,000 in the UK market.
It will be replaced by the Grande Panda, the new mini SUV that will share the platform with the Citroën C3, with its various engine options, including mild-hybrid and fully electric powertrains, with a price expected to be under £22,000 (but have you ever wondered why Fiat Panda is called that?).
The Fiat Grande Panda will be 3.99 metres long and was designed at the Centro Stile in Turin, it represents the first of a series of new Fiat models planned until 2027, with the aim of expanding the brand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Grande Panda is expected to be priced below €19,000 in Europe for the hybrid version and €25,000 for the electric version.
The reason for the Panda’s early withdrawal may also be influenced by the new zero-emission vehicle regulations in the United Kingdom, which require car manufacturers to increase the share of electric vehicles sold. Fiat currently has a market share of around 10% in the country and recently reduced the price of the electric 500e to boost sales.
Despite its withdrawal from the UK market, the Fiat Panda will continue to be available in Europe until the end of the decade. According to data from Jato Dynamics, the Panda was the 19th best-selling car in Europe in the first half of 2024, with sales up 25% compared to the previous year. Panda production in Pomigliano d’Arco will increase by 20%, reaching around 175,000 units produced each year.
This article is originally published on auto.everyeye.it
