Next-gen Fiat 500 confirmed for 2032 despite low sales
The Fiat 500 hasn't had the best run these past few years, with plant shutdowns and slow sales, but Stellantis already has plans for a next-gen Fiat 500 model.
Stellantis has found itself scrambling these past couple of weeks, with CEO Carlos Tavares unexpectedly resigning and pausing the Fiat 500e’s production yet again due to low sales.
Despite all of that, Stellantis COO Jean-Philippe Imparato confirmed that the Fiat 500 will enter a new generation come 2032. That’s an interesting decision given the model's sales numbers, but the automaker is looking to revitalize the Fiat 500’s entire lineup in the hopes that the market will take a liking to it yet again.
Related: Boreham Escort RS is an officially licensed reincarnation of a cult classic Fiat
Fiat plans to keep production in Italy
The Fiat 500 currently rolls out of the Turin plant in Mirafiori, Italy, the same facility that also produces the iconic Cinquecento.
Stellantis plans to keep production of the 500 in Turin for the next generation, which is a questionable decision considering how often the automaker has paused production of the all-electric Fiat 500 at that plant. Most recently, Stellantis announced production would come to a halt beginning December 18, 2024, and resume on January 20, 2025. The shutdown affects not only the Fiat 500 but also the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio.
As Stellantis works with suppliers to keep production running, Imparato emphasized that the company has no plans to shut down any factories in Italy, underscoring its dedication to its Italian heritage.
Stellantis has ambitious plans for the Fiat 500, starting with a $105 million investment in developing a new high-performance battery to enhance the upcoming model's range and performance. Fiat is also reverse-engineering the 500e to bring a hybrid drivetrain to market in late 2025 or early 2026.
Related: Ram EV delayed: Ramcharger jumps ahead
The Fiat 500’s struggle isn’t new
The Fiat 500 has found itself in shambles, particularly with its all-electric model. Prior to the current halt in production, the Mirafiori plant saw operations paused from mid-September to November 2024. The production pause was officially attributed to low sales, with fewer than 500 Fiat 500e units sold through November 2024. 2024 Fiat 500e
With a starting price of $32,500 MSRP and lackluster range figures, it’s easy to see why the 2024 Fiat 500e is struggling. The two-door hatchback offers a total range of just 141 miles and charges to 80% in 35 minutes. That’s not something to write home about, especially with other EVs offering higher range for a similar price.
Given that Stellantis is committed to keeping the Fiat 500 up and running for at least another seven years though, we should expect the next generation to be a significant improvement over the current model.
On the bright side, at least the model hasn’t gone the way of the Mazda MX-30 and its disappointing 100-mile range.
Final thoughts
The Fiat 500e probably won’t become the talk of the town unless it hits hot hatch status with a high-performance battery. Even with a hybrid powertrain, the 500 will still struggle, given American buyers' penchant for larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs. Over in Europe, the story is much different, as the tighter roads and larger cities necessitate the need for smaller vehicles. Fiat
Why Stellantis even offers the Fiat 500 to dealers outside of major urban areas in the United States is a mystery to me. A quick search reveals there are several 2024 models marked down to as much as $10,000 below MSRP near me, with one listed more than 140 days ago. Considering the Fiat 500e has competition like the Chevy Bolt and Mini Cooper Electric, I’m not holding out much hope for the little guy.
