Autoblog

Fiat has confirmed rumors that it is developing a new low-cost world car. However while earlier reports suggested a single small car was under consideration, a senior company executive revealed that Fiat is actually developing two new models.

The first will be a B-segment car positioned above the Panda but below the Grande Punto, the latter of which went up-market in its current iteration over the previous model. Eying the success of Renault's low-cost Dacia range, Fiat is toying with the idea of spinning off the car, currently dubbed the "new Uno", as a separate brand. Over the years Fiat has absorbed a wealth of Italian auto brands and, as it did with Abarth, could revive either the Innocenti or Autobianchi marques.

The second vehicle, tentatively carrying the same "Topolino" name as the concept which previewed the new 500, will be a microcar based on and positioned below the Panda, with both expected to hit the market around late 2009 or early 2010.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport and Italiaspeed]