I don't think this has been 'reported' here on the FF yet:
"The new Fiat Panda Cross, a car that was only launched in the UK three months ago, has scooped its first major off-roading honour - 4x4 of the Year 2009."

-- although a bit like Have I Got News For You's 'guest publication', the award comes from the little-known specialist magazine 4x4 and MPV Driver (and no, I may have a 4x4 Panda and a Multipla, but I'm not a 4x4 and MPV Driver subscriber!)

See full report here:
http://www.carpages.co.uk/fiat/fiat-panda-cross-27-11-08.asp

Pete

Yea i just saw that yesterday online! Quite a good achievement i thought. Also saw though in some of the reviews that they wreckon it will only retain 27.5% of its value with depreciation in three years! Ouch! Good if your buying ...not so good if your selling. But maybe thats the thing.. all the owners will probably just hold on to them because of their versatility and owner satisfaction.

That predicted loss of value results from the heavy discounting on the cost of the new vehicle, 25% in my case. In addition, a city car sized off roader is very much a niche market where second hand prices are hard to predict.

I was thinking it sounded a bit harsh so that'll be whats behind it. Its probably the case too that the cross model's residuals will have less of an depreciation as everyone has long awaited the diesel version of the 4x4 so therefore they will be more desirable

stephenbeetleman said:

I was thinking it sounded a bit harsh so that'll be whats behind it. Its probably the case too that the cross model's residuals will have less of an depreciation as everyone has long awaited the diesel version of the 4x4 so therefore they will be more desirable

Click to expand...

I still think that because it is such a niche market, like Chris says second hand values are going to be hard to predict as what you have to ask yourself is realistically how many people will want one?