Small Vehicle Automaker is targeting 100-110K Annual Sales
Fiat is set to launch a new hybrid version of its 500e small electric car, aiming to meet the demand of clients who are interested in the vehicle but cannot afford it. The hybrid 500e will be manufactured in Italy and is projected to have an annual demand of 100,000-110,000 units. This comes in the wake of a global slowdown in electric car sales, with the fully electric version of the 500e selling fewer than 80,000 units last year.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
The new “mild” hybrid 500e will combine a petrol engine and a battery, without the need for a plug. This hybrid version will be based on the same platform as the 500e EV, and will offer further technological features compared to the previous petrol-based and hybrid versions. It is expected to be slightly pricier than the current version, starting at around €29,000 ($31,300), excluding government incentives.
The production of this new hybrid 500e is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026 in the Mirafiori complex in Turin, Italy. The announcement of the new hybrid version comes as the company phases out the old 500 models, both petrol-powered and hybrid, which were previously assembled in Poland.
TF Summary: What’s Next
The introduction of the new hybrid 500e is strategic to meet the demand of potential buyers who want to own the vehicle but have previously been unable to afford it. The decision to add a hybrid version comes at a time when electric car sales are slowing down globally and the fully electric 500e has not reached sales targets. The 500e is an attempt to reach a wider market and make the vehicle far more accessible.