Inside Lane
Member
In the early 2000's, Fiat saw the success of the MINI, and thought 'we could do that'.
Result: 2007 Panda-based Fiat 500.
In the late-2000's, Fiat planned a replacement for the 2003 Panda.
Result: 2011 Fiat Panda.
In 2009, Fiat unexpectedly purchased Chrysler.
Result: Fiat 500 sold in USA. Fiat Panda not sold in USA.
In late-2000's, Fiat planned a bigger brother for the Panda (Grande Panda?)
The project was delayed from 2011 to 2012.
Fiat decided to market it in the USA, where Panda is an unknown name.
Result: Grande Panda got a new nose, and became 500L.
Notice the similar dashboards, side-profiles, functionality: Completely different to 500 dashboard, side profile & functionality.
In the early 2010's, Fiat planned to replace the Punto and keep unions at Melfi from doing serious damage to company image.
But the Italian market had collapsed.
Fiat decided to market it in the USA, where Punto is an unknown name.
Fiat decided to rush small Jeep on platform.
Result: Punto got a new nose, and became 500X. Jeep took manufacturing priority.
Any thoughts from other bluffers?
Result: 2007 Panda-based Fiat 500.
In the late-2000's, Fiat planned a replacement for the 2003 Panda.
Result: 2011 Fiat Panda.
In 2009, Fiat unexpectedly purchased Chrysler.
Result: Fiat 500 sold in USA. Fiat Panda not sold in USA.
In late-2000's, Fiat planned a bigger brother for the Panda (Grande Panda?)
The project was delayed from 2011 to 2012.
Fiat decided to market it in the USA, where Panda is an unknown name.
Result: Grande Panda got a new nose, and became 500L.
Notice the similar dashboards, side-profiles, functionality: Completely different to 500 dashboard, side profile & functionality.
In the early 2010's, Fiat planned to replace the Punto and keep unions at Melfi from doing serious damage to company image.
But the Italian market had collapsed.
Fiat decided to market it in the USA, where Punto is an unknown name.
Fiat decided to rush small Jeep on platform.
Result: Punto got a new nose, and became 500X. Jeep took manufacturing priority.
Any thoughts from other bluffers?
