General How long???

[Alsatian1]

Phoned fiat today for a status update on my new panda trekking order. Was told the factory aren't producing at the moment because of the twin air being made euro6 compliant!

Dealer had absolutely no idea when production would resume, so could be months away. I've asked about having a few options thrown in seem as how it's not built yet, I was quite adamant that they'd need to do something, don't know if this is being cheeky of me? Update: managed to get the four seat slidey option added!

Either way, looks like the snow I was hoping to have the trekking for will have been and gone by the time I get it, and will likely have to get my current car mot'd again early next year

 

[Super Uwe]

Phoned fiat today for a status update on my new panda trekking order. Was told the factory aren't producing at the moment because of the twin air being made euro6 compliant!

Dealer had absolutely no idea when production would resume, so could be months away. I've asked about having a few options thrown in seem as how it's not built yet, I was quite adamant that they'd need to do something, don't know if this is being cheeky of me? Update: managed to get the four seat slidey option added!

Either way, looks like the snow I was hoping to have the trekking for will have been and gone by the time I get it, and will likely have to get my current car mot'd again early next year

Really? Wow, that sounds pretty rubbish. Not heard anything of the sort about production being affected, but who knows with Fiat?!

If I were you, I'd copy this thread onto the 500 section and see if anyone on there has heard about this (as there are loads more people who post on there).

I wonder if it is specifically the TA in the Panda that is the issue, but if not then this could have major ramifications for a lot of people!

 

[Alsatian1]

Really? Wow, that sounds pretty rubbish. Not heard anything of the sort about production being affected, but who knows with Fiat?!

If I were you, I'd copy this thread onto the 500 section and see if anyone on there has heard about this (as there are loads more people who post on there).

I wonder if it is specifically the TA in the Panda that is the issue, but if not then this could have major ramifications for a lot of people!

Cool, I'll copy that across then. It sounded like just the twinair the way he was speaking. He said they'd put a complaint forwards as fiat haven't been very communicative with them over the issue, 3 other people at my dealer are affected, maybe someone off here?

 

[deeyup]

Just spoke to my buddy in sales who said they are switching over to euro six but didn't know of any delays

 

[Alsatian1]

Just spoke to my buddy in sales who said they are switching over to euro six but didn't know of any delays

It's very bizarre, I wouldn't have known there was a problem if I hadn't phoned today, hadn't heard anything since ordering. Think I'm gonna phone every couple of weeks now, and push for a new option every time

 

[triumph7]

Just spoke to my buddy in sales who said they are switching over to euro six but didn't know of any delays

What's euro6 when its at home?

 

[Alsatian1]

What's euro6 when its at home?

New regulations on emissions, will apply to all new cars after a certain date. More to do with the manufacturer than with the car buyer. Currently euro5 stands, previously euro4 etc...

 

[Moo22]

I ordered a factory panda TA 4x4 in August. Phoned for update 6 weeks later to find order wasn't placed because of the engine change over. Waited a further month but still no progress and told by the time I would get my car it would be into the 14 plate so cancelled and bought a pre- reg instead! Took a week to arrive. Job done and fantastic wee car! I don't have some of the extras I'd originally hoped for but I am ready for winter.

 

[Alsatian1]

I ordered a factory panda TA 4x4 in August. Phoned for update 6 weeks later to find order wasn't placed because of the engine change over. Waited a further month but still no progress and told by the time I would get my car it would be into the 14 plate so cancelled and bought a pre- reg instead! Took a week to arrive. Job done and fantastic wee car! I don't have some of the extras I'd originally hoped for but I am ready for winter.

14 plate??? Jeez, it sounds like the same story with mine although dealer said they placed the order and fiat haven't been very informative about what's going on. I'll have forgotten I've ordered a new car by then! I'd take a pre-reg if they had a trekking, in white, with privacy glass with the sliding rear seat option, but they didn't even have any trekkings in the system when I looked. I'm hoping I can get more freebies out of them as the fiasco goes on. At least I still love my current panda.

 

[Moo22]

Good plan! I still managed to get a free 2 year service package thrown in since they hadn't told me about the delays until I asked. Worth pushing to see what else you can get.

 

[JTD_Liam]

Most of the Fiat range has been closed over the last couple of months to allow the factories to switch from Euro 5 to Euro 6 versions of the various engines. Some switched seamlessly (1.2 8v for example) but others took several weeks. Some engines have not been made Euro 6 compliant and will therefore be unavailable going forward (this doesn't extend to the Panda or 500/500C/500L ranges). However there was a month-6 week period (approx) where TwinAir Pandas and 500s couldn't be ordered, which has delayed orders for these cars.

So, the dealer is telling the truth with regard to Euro 5 - Euro 6, but they're being a bit liberal with the truth saying that ordering is still closed. I've not had to order a Trekking yet (we mostly sell Pop/Easy/4x4) but I've been able to place factory orders for TwinAir 4x4's for the last couple of weeks, so I can't imagine Trekking is still closed. I've certainly heard nothing to that effect.

 

[Alsatian1]

Most of the Fiat range has been closed over the last couple of months to allow the factories to switch from Euro 5 to Euro 6 versions of the various engines. Some switched seamlessly (1.2 8v for example) but others took several weeks. Some engines have not been made Euro 6 compliant and will therefore be unavailable going forward (this doesn't extend to the Panda or 500/500C/500L ranges). However there was a month-6 week period (approx) where TwinAir Pandas and 500s couldn't be ordered, which has delayed orders for these cars.

So, the dealer is telling the truth with regard to Euro 5 - Euro 6, but they're being a bit liberal with the truth saying that ordering is still closed. I've not had to order a Trekking yet (we mostly sell Pop/Easy/4x4) but I've been able to place factory orders for TwinAir 4x4's for the last couple of weeks, so I can't imagine Trekking is still closed. I've certainly heard nothing to that effect.

That's great info, thanks for that. At least I know that at least it shouldn't be too long. As far as I know, the order has been placed so fingers crossed. I was told they had raised my case with fiat which with a bit of luck will speed it up but I doubt it. Been waiting for 7 weeks already

 

[deeyup]

Alsatian1 I've just been speaking to my buddy, he tells me there are 10 trekking twin air in dealer stock in the UK.
He doubts very much that they are all sold.

If you wanted he could get you on the road in a week or so depending on whether you are flexible on spec or not?

Any good to you?

 

[Alsatian1]

Alsatian1 I've just been speaking to my buddy, he tells me there are 10 trekking twin air in dealer stock in the UK.
He doubts very much that they are all sold.

If you wanted he could get you on the road in a week or so depending on whether you are flexible on spec or not?

Any good to you?

Thanks for doing that. I'm set on white, and privacy glass is a must for the dog. Other than that I'm not too fussed providing it doesn't cost me a penny more than I had in the current deal. What location are we talking for your guy?

 

[deeyup]

Just outside of Cardiff. I reckon you may struggle if you want privacy glass?

 

[Alsatian1]

Just outside of Cardiff. I reckon you may struggle if you want privacy glass?

I thought that might be the case, don't hear of many people speccing the tinted windows! It's just to keep the sun off the pooch on long drives, without using annoying blinds.

Seem as how I got the sliding seats thrown into the deal now I should probably just hang tight anyway, I'll update if/when I hear anything.

 

[Alsatian1]

Well! Panda Twinair production is back on line and orders can now be processed.

Unfortunately, they've stopped producing the sand/charcoal interior for the trekking that I wanted and only offer the olive green, or a new black/orange that's replacing the current orange theme. I think the only difference is the dash is Matt grey rather than metallic, which to me sounds worse. I chose black/orange cos I'd only have the olive with the tuscany green paintwork.

The lady on the phone admitted Fiat had been a nightmare over it, and confirmed to me on the phone that my order was completed. Wahoo! Back to where I thought I was 7 weeks ago, with an interior I'm not 100 percent sure of

 

[Super Uwe]

Well! Panda Twinair production is back on line and orders can now be processed.

Unfortunately, they've stopped producing the sand/charcoal interior for the trekking that I wanted and only offer the olive green, or a new black/orange that's replacing the current orange theme. I think the only difference is the dash is Matt grey rather than metallic, which to me sounds worse. I chose black/orange cos I'd only have the olive with the tuscany green paintwork.

The lady on the phone admitted Fiat had been a nightmare over it, and confirmed to me on the phone that my order was completed. Wahoo! Back to where I thought I was 7 weeks ago, with an interior I'm not 100 percent sure of

I'll speak from personal experience here - not having the sand/charcoal interior really will be a blessing in disguise, especially if you have a dog!

The Easy spec on the standard allows you to choose all the paint colours (I think anyway), but it does restrict you on certain interiors. Sadly we were left with no option but to go with the beige/sand colour as it was the only one available for a turquoise Easy model. Having owned the car for over 18 months now, what I can say is that the beige seats are a nightmare to keep clean. Hence why I have pretty much given up...

BTW, I don't have a dog but do have a two-year old boy. You can argue the toss as to who would be the grubbiest of the two!

EDIT - have just realised the sand/charcoal combo in the Trekking isn't quite the same as ours, the seat base is dark rather than beige. Oops!

 

[Alsatian1]

I'll speak from personal experience here - not having the sand/charcoal interior really will be a blessing in disguise, especially if you have a dog!

The Easy spec on the standard allows you to choose all the paint colours (I think anyway), but it does restrict you on certain interiors. Sadly we were left with no option but to go with the beige/sand colour as it was the only one available for a turquoise Easy model. Having owned the car for over 18 months now, what I can say is that the beige seats are a nightmare to keep clean. Hence why I have pretty much given up...

BTW, I don't have a dog but do have a two-year old boy. You can argue the toss as to who would be the grubbiest of the two!

EDIT - have just realised the sand/charcoal combo in the Trekking isn't quite the same as ours, the seat base is dark rather than beige. Oops!

Plus the sand part is 'eco leather' which I assume is fiat speak for faux leather. I see your two year old human and raise you an 8 year old German Shepherd who still thinks she can leap into stagnant pools and climb back into the car bold as brass, whilst moulting everywhere as well.

In all honesty, I'm not too offended at the new interior colours, it appears to be the same but with orange in place of the sand, at least it will make me look like I have a sense of 'fun' or similar. I hope

 

[pmarti22]

They have also limited the colours on the 4x4. The grey dashboard has been deleted and the only options are sand/charcoal seats with sand dash and olive/charcoal with olive dash. My original order of sand/charcoal seats with grey dash is no longer available, so was changed to the 205 option from 293. One would assume they would be the same for the trekking, but being Fiat and ease of manufacture, they will probably leave all the options available....... One thing I did see, was that the orange is no longer available on the fiat.it website for the 4x4, but was still on the Trekking. Talk about standardizing there builds across the 4x4 and Trekking. It's just asking for a misbuild on these. Anyone know what the emissions, fuel economy or engine spec is changing from Euro5 to Euro6?