Alexandre
During the latest presentation by Jean-Philippe Imparato, new CEO of Stellantis Europe, one detail caught the eye: the year 2030, a new generation of Fiat 500 will appear in Mirafiori, and an electric new electric Fiat Panda at Pomigliano d'Arco. Both models are expected to be produced on the STLA Small platform. But why two different factories for two emblematic Fiat models?
Dual production sites: Mirafiori and Pomigliano d'Arco
The decision to keep production of the Fiat 500 at Mirafiori, while the Panda remains at Pomigliano d'Arco, raises questions. Pomigliano d'Arco, which currently produces the Fiat Panda and the Alfa Romeo Tonale and Dodge Hornet models, will see the arrival in 2028 of two new models based on the same STLA Small platform. The Pomigliano d'Arco plant seems well positioned for a transition to small electric models.
But why not centralized production of the Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda in the same plant? One answer may lie in the historical significance of the Mirafiori plant in Turin. Mirafiori, which has been producing Fiat cars since the 1950s, is a symbol not only for the brand, but also for the city of Turin and the Italian government. Moving production of the Fiat 500, an icon of Italian urban mobility, could have been seen as a disavowal of this long history and a blow to Fiat's image. For Stellantis' management, maintaining production at Mirafiori in 2030 seems to be an obvious choice. a choice dictated by symbolic and political considerations rather than economic.
If Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares' reasoning had remained in place, the new electric Fiat 500 of 2030 would probably have moved to Pomigliano d'Arcologistics and profitability took precedence over political and historical considerations.
Small models under STLA Small
The STLA Small platform will be used for models such as the Peugeot 208, Peugeot 2008, Opel Corsa, Opel Mokka and DS3 compact urban cars. Pomigliano d'Arco could accommodate two of these models. However, some of these new models have already been reserved for the Vigo plant in Spain, making the management of European sites even more complex.
According to our information, Stellantis is relying heavily on the STLA Small platform to produce affordable electric cars with a current range of 500 km. The ultimate goal is to reach 700 km for C-segment cars.
According to L'Argus, the group's future electric compacts (308, Astra...) will be based on the STLA Small platform (much lighter than that of the 3008). Could this be the basis for a Lancia Delta in the same factory?