Europe’s residents may find it difficult to understand how Fiat has fallen from grace. The legendary 500, which just made a comeback to the American market as an electric vehicle (EV) with a range of over 150 miles and a price tag of $34,000, is the only member of the Fiat portfolio that commands significant attention in the US. It works effectively for quick journeys when the primary car isn’t accessible because it is positioned as a city electric vehicle.
However, Fiat remains a profitable venture for its parent company, Stellantis, particularly outside of Europe. In 2023, Fiat outsold every other automaker within the newly merged FCA-PSA conglomerate for the third consecutive year. With a 12% increase in sales to 1.35 million units, Fiat maintains a dominant position in various markets, including South America and the Middle East & Africa.
In South America, Fiat commands a significant market share of 14.5%, while in the Middle East & Africa, it boasts an even higher share of 15.7%, retaining its position as the most popular car brand for five consecutive years.
The success is attributed to models such as the Panda in Italy, the Strada small truck in Brazil, and the Tipo/Egea in regions like Turkey and Algeria, where Fiat enjoys a staggering 78.6% market share.
Within Europe, Fiat continues its success with the Fiat 500e leading the electric vehicle segment and the ICE-powered 500 and Panda dominating the city car segment with a remarkable 44.4% market share. Looking ahead, Fiat anticipates further growth with the introduction of new models, including the highly anticipated all-new Panda and the 600 small crossover.
Meanwhile, in South America, digital car content creators have envisioned an array of Fiat models based on recent concepts. Kleber Silva, a Brazil-based virtual artist known as “KDesign AG” on social media, has developed a series of CGI designs, including the ‘Giga Panda’ family, showcasing Fiat’s commitment to innovation and expansion across global markets.