Fiat to boost Panda production 20%, CEO says

POMIGLIANO D'ARCO, Italy --Fiat will increase Panda production 20 percent this year to meet customer strong demand in Italy and Europe.

That means the Panda output will rise to 175,000 units from 144,000 in 2023.

Fiat brand CEO Olivier Francois made the announcement Thursday at the Stellantis subsidiary's factory here, near Naples, where Europe's No. 1-selling minicar is made.

"We have often assembled 180,000 cars a year here in the past, so I think the number is very feasible," Francois added.a

Francois also confirmed that Panda production will continue at the factory until "at least until 2027, and possibly longer."

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares warned last year that Panda production would be at risk if Europe passed a stricter version of Euro 7 emissions rules.

However, since the EU Commission is poised to approve a weakened version of the rules, Fiat will be able to avoid updating the Panda's powertrain and emissions controls, extending the minicar's life cycle.

Fiat has produced more than 8 million Pandas since the car was launched in 1980. It outsold its sibling, the 500, for the minicar title last year 125,834 to 104,590, helped by brisk sales in Italy, which accounted for more than 80 percent of the Panda's volume last year. The Panda was Italy's best-seller last year.

Fiat will update the Panda this summer to make it compliant with new EU safety rules that take effect on July 7. As a result, the minicar's standard equipment will include emergency braking to reduce rear-end collisions; lane-keeping assist; drowsy driver detection; traffic sign recognition; and rear parking sensors. Further upgrades include cruise control and automatic high beam adjustment, but they will be options.

The Pandina

Those options will be standard on a new version of the minicar called the Pandina.

To further distinguish it from the Panda, the Pandina will have white dashboard fascia, seats with Pandina stitched into the backrest, yellow sideview mirrors and a little panda's face on the wheels.

Among the interior changes, both the updated Panda and the Pandina will feature a new 7-inch digital cluster and a new 7-inch DAB radio touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Production of both the updated Panda and the Pandina will start in June. Prices have not been announced.

Francois said he hopes the tech updates will help Fiat sell more Pandas outside of Italy.

"There aren't a lot of competitors in Europe in this segment, only some from Asia," he said. "This will be Chinese territory, and the Panda can defend our position."

He added that the Panda is the only 3.6-meter long car in the Stellantis family with five-seats and five-doors.