At a time when small, practical cars are becoming harder to find, Fiat’s top boss is making it clear that his company isn’t ready to abandon the kind of no-frills vehicles drivers actually want.
Olivier Francois, CEO of Fiat and Abarth, told me at the bustling Brussels Motor Show that politicians’ push for extreme electric vehicle mandates is slowing down affordable city cars—but Fiat isn’t letting that stop them.
Hybrid 500: Meeting Customer Needs
Fiat recently unveiled a new petrol-electric hybrid version of its iconic 500 supermini.
Francois explained that the move is driven by customer demand—pure electric 500e models aren’t selling as strongly as hoped.
He predicts that the hybrid will make up around 70% of 500 sales.
The 500 Hybrid packs a one-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 12V lithium-ion battery and a six-speed manual gearbox.
UK buyers can expect it to hit showrooms from late spring, starting at roughly £19,000.
A No-Frills City Car on the Horizon
Francois also hinted at something even more exciting: a “no-frills” city car, designed to be small, affordable, and simple, with multiple engine options.
It’s expected to cost under £15,000 and could arrive by 2030.
To meet EU regulations without inflating costs, Francois suggested limiting top speeds to 73mph, avoiding unnecessary driver-safety tech that’s really meant for larger, more expensive vehicles.
“These cars are small, democratic, and inexpensive—perfect for younger people commuting in the city,” Francois said.
“We need to return to basics. Small cars shouldn’t be overloaded with tech that customers neither want nor need.”
Fiat’s Take on EV Mandates
Francois didn’t hold back about politicians’ ambitious EV sales targets in the UK and EU.
“They’ve put idealism before pragmatism,” he said.
While electric cars are “great,” he added, many people simply can’t afford them without government incentives.
Expanding the Range: QUBO L, Panda, and More
Fiat also displayed the new QUBO L “people mover” at the show, available in five or seven-seat layouts, with diesel, petrol, or electric options.
UK pricing is expected to start below £25,000 this autumn.
Meanwhile, Fiat plans to introduce a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol Grande Panda with a manual gearbox as a more affordable alternative to hybrid and electric versions, priced from £18,995 from March.
Fans of SUVs won’t be left out either: a new SUV-crossover and a fastback version are on the way, and a manual petrol Fiat 600 crossover will also join the lineup.
Brussels Motor Show Takes the Spotlight
With 67 brands, including Kia, Ford, numerous Chinese automakers, and 28 bike manufacturers, the Brussels Motor Show is emerging as a strong successor to the Geneva Motor Show, which has not returned since the pandemic.
Francois’ message is clear: Fiat is ready to keep small, practical, and affordable cars alive, no matter what regulators say.
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