Automakers

How minicars will survive by electrifying and evolving

Fiat will charge a premium price of 37,000 euros for the full-electric New 500, which the automaker says will blur the lines between minicars and models in the next segment up.
May 05, 2020 04:00 AM

European car buyers still want minicars, for their ease of parking, low cost and fuel efficiency. But automakers say new emissions rules that require costly modifications are making them economically unfeasible.

So, how can the key entry-level segment be saved?

In some cases, automakers are offering electric versions of existing models. In others, they are blurring the line between minicars and models one size up. A few players, including some new entrants, believe that limited-range electric quadricycles are the answer.

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