Fiat plans to replace the Panda with the Grande Panda, a small SUV twinned with the new Citroën C3. The new model will offer mild-hybrid petrol and electric powertrains. The electric version, expected to launch in December, will likely cost less than £22,000, making it one of the UK's cheapest electric options.
Dealers still have some Pandas in stock, which should last until the Grande Panda arrives. Sales of the current Panda have been low in recent years, with fewer than 5000 units sold in the UK since 2020.
The UK's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate might have influenced Fiat's decision to withdraw the Panda. The mandate requires carmakers to increase their ratio of electric vehicle sales annually, starting at 22% this year and aiming for 80% by 2030. Fiat's current EV sales ratio sits at around 10%.
To boost electric sales, Fiat recently cut the price of its 500e model from £28,195 to £24,995. With the government grant, the price drops to £21,995.
While the Panda leaves the UK market, it will stay available in Europe until the end of the decade due to strong sales. Jato Dynamics reports that the Panda ranked as the 19th best-selling car in Europe in the first half of this year, with 76,450 units sold. That's a 25% increase year-over-year and outnumbers the combined sales of Fiat and Abarth 500s.
The Dacia Sandero remains a cheaper option in the UK market, while the electric Dacia Spring will soon join it as an affordable EV choice.
Source: Autocar
