Alexandre
Fiatthe emblem of the chic, affordable city car, is going through a paradoxical phase in which the electric transition seems to be clashing with local preferences. While the Fiat 500 has bowed out in Europe to make way for an electric version produced in Italy, another hybrid version is causing a stir... this time in North Africa.
Record demand in Algeria for the Fiat 500 hybrid
Stellantis Algérie, a subsidiary of the group to which Fiat belongs, recently announced an unexpected situation: demand for the Fiat 500 hybrid exploded in the first few days of November, forcing the company to suspend orders to cope with this craze. In just ten days, the brand recorded more orders than in the whole month of October. This exponential demand, unprecedented in the country, highlights a Fiat-mania" in Algeria.
This temporary suspension decision has been communicated to the Algerian subsidiary and to all Fiat dealerships in the country. Stellantis has asked its partners to stop taking deposits and customer payments for the Fiat 500 hybrid, pending an update in production capacity.
The rise of the Tafraoui plant: production dedicated to North Africa
This resounding success in Algeria is part of a well-defined strategy. Fiat has invested over 200 million euros to build a plant in Tafraouinear Oran, dedicated to the production of thermal models for the North African market, where European environmental constraints do not apply in the same way. The new facility will employ 2,000 people by 2026, is part of Stellantis' plan to produce 90,000 vehicles a year, including not only the Fiat 500 hybrid, but also models such as the Doblo, Tipo, and other Fiat vehicles to come. This move aims to meet a growing need for affordable, reliable vehicles for the Algerian market, while strengthening Fiat's presence in the region.
In stark contrast to Europe and Italy
While the Fiat 500 hybrid is selling like hotcakes in Algeria, the electric model is struggling to convince on the European market. The Italian Mirafiori plant, which produces the electric version of the Fiat 500, is struggling with low demand and frequent production line stoppages. This stark contrast between Europe and Algeria underlines a mismatch in priorities and means of access to the automobile On the one hand, Europe is becoming more and more electrically oriented, while on the other, the North African market is still attracted by hybrids and combustion engines.
Fiat 500: between myth and renewal
The Fiat 500 continues to seduce, whether in combustion, electric or hybrid versions. This success in Algeria demonstrates once again the ability of this iconic city car to stand the test of time and adapt to local needs. While Fiat strives to roll out its ecological transition plan in Europe, the group maintains a pragmatic strategy in regions where electric power is not yet a viable solution for everyone. In Algeria, the Fiat 500 hybrid perfectly illustrates this paradox by becoming a real star on the road, and its popularity demonstrates that Fiat knows how to adapt to each market.
The Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda meet a demand, because they're ideal little cars. Not too expensive, practical, easy, cute - what more could you ask for? They're 15 years old and still going strong.
I've just rented a Fiat Panda in Italy, and it's really very nice.
And the hybrid panda ....? You never mention it.
Yet it's an excellent car.
Good value and quality.
As for the Fiat 500 .....je thinks it's an advert to attract the undecideds of Europe.
When it comes to Algeria, with its citizens' low incomes.... it's still amazing to publish a high demand for the 500...
Which is, after all, quite expensive.
Factually and concretely, how many hybrid models have been sold???
Fortunately, FIAT is doing very well in South America, in addition to Algeria.
Fiat should try to sell the Cronos (a Sedan/Berline produced and sold extremely well in South America, for 15,000 euros, in thermal) in Europe rather than trying to make new age stuff like the Fiat 500 or the Electric Panda (for the price of a 500e I'll take something else).
The Cronos is cheap to produce, and offers very good performance with its Firefly 1.3 (it's THE car for Buenos Aires cab drivers, and the best-selling car in Argentina).
Stellantis must push in North Africa with very aggressive pricing. The EU won't provide them with a shield against competitive Chinese cars on the other side of the Mediterranean and there's Renault as a strong force on the market as well.