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Fiat to produce budget car?
It's hard to imagine, but Fiat is rumored to be developing an even smaller car than the 500 and Panda. The new model would be a low-cost vehicle targeted at markets in South America, Russia, India and China.
Depending on how the Italian automaker determines a budget automobile would reflect on the company's other products, the vehicle could be marketed under the Fiat nameplate, or possibly under a different one altogether. If the company decides it will wear the Fiat badge, it could revive the Uno nameplate and effectively replace the Palio (pictured above), which currently serves as Fiat's "world car", with production in Brazil, India, Turkey, South Africa, North Korea and China, in hatchback, sedan, wagon and pickup body-styles. Fiat's close relations with Tata, makers of the Nano, could come into play, but one way or another, nobody does small cars like Fiat, so the competition had better take note.
[Source: paultan.org]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 1:41PM (4/13/2008)
Well Fiat did develop the car that was later sold to several companies to become such things as the best selling Lada model of all times.
Who knows, maybe this upcoming Fiat can do the same.
Shudder shudder.
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Kumail 1:52PM (4/13/2008)
I dont know why they would do this. The 500 is 6 in. smaller than the MINI and I am not sure if people would really want a car smaller than that.. unless it's some white chick.. lol
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k.w.a 2:30PM (4/13/2008)
you'd be surprised, small cars are everywhere, especially in Europe. I remember last time i went to Rome i saw a Mini parked amongst other cars, and the Mini looked HUGE! i thought it was strange that perhaps the smallest car in the US looked midsized compared to the other cars there.
Bottom line is there's always a place for a smaller car. personally i think its good that the car trend is now focused on smaller, more economical cars than on huge, grotesque, and gaudy fashion statements.
Andrew 3:05PM (4/13/2008)
Some "white chick"? What, black people can't drive small cars? In fact judging from the list of countries this car is going to be produced in - it's only going to be non-white people driving it...
Kumail 11:19PM (4/13/2008)
sorry about the "white chick" reference Andrew. I guess i couldn't think of the word "barbie" at the time (for here in America).
LDMAN 12:38PM (4/16/2008)
Simple; the growth is in emerging markets. Emerging markets take small cars. Every manufacturer has a small emerging market car in the plans. Volumes and market share capture are there. Look at Fiat in Brazil. Over 25% market share but they started way back.
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james emmans 3:56PM (4/13/2008)
I saw my first new 500 in the UK and was impressed, it is designed for short journeys to the railway station or shops - no need for extra comforts. The 500 can make it to the motorways but rearly. It has gone on sale in the UK this January and it may do better than the original, time will tell.
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spw 5:41PM (4/13/2008)
once again, people are confusing cheap with small.
Actual article states that the car will be larger than Panda, which is larger than 500.
It want be tiny, it will be cheap.
And FIAT has already produced a lot of very cheap cars, like (shudders) Palio...
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42 5:49PM (4/13/2008)
they make Fiats in North Korea? who the hell buys them?
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Jaca 6:31PM (4/13/2008)
FIAT still makes the UNO here in Brazil for US$14000...
And that is the cheapest car avaliable here in Brazil. That's why FIAT will make another crap for us.
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Luiz Gustavo 8:21PM (4/13/2008)
A substitute for Palio even smaller than a Fiat 500? No way, Fiat will never replace a 5 passenger car which sell thousands each month in Brazil for another smaller while VW Gol, Chevrolet Celta and Ford Fiesta sells the same volume and small cars like Daihatsu Cuore, Kia Picanto or Subaro Vivio never sold very well.
Fiat will make a car even sheaper, but not smaller.
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adelinoairosa 12:31AM (4/14/2008)
Actually, it seems you need a little update.
This car has been around in Brazil for years. it's called pailo for the hatchback version and Siena for the sedan version.
Nothing new to be developed. Engines top choose from: 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6L. Flexfuel. it's considered a popular entry level car that can go up to rather expensive prices depending on accessories and stuff.
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George 9:37AM (4/15/2008)
Fiat palio Stile is already there in India for the past 1 Yr
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Murph11 10:36AM (4/27/2008)
Why does "budget car" seem to also mean "ugly"??
Oh ,wait, maybe this Fiat is a retro-styling design. Because it sure looks like a P.O.S. from about 1985.
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