In 2020, Fiat launched a new generation of its iconic 500 minicar exclusively with electric power, a car that will soon go on sale in the USA. the 2024 500e.
However, the previous-generation 500 powered by a petrol engine remains on sale and in the nameplate’s key market, Europe, it accounted for around 104,000 sales last year, compared to 62,000 for the new 500e.
Quoting people familiar with the matter, Automotive News (subscription required) reported that Fiat is considering adding a gas option to the new 500e to replace the previous generation 500 which from July will no longer comply with European Union safety and cybersecurity rules.
Other evidence supporting the possibility is Fiat asking suppliers for quotes to increase the capacity of the new 500e at the vehicle’s factory in Turin, Italy, from 77,260 units built in 2023 to 175,000 units, Automotive News learned from supplier sources. According to sources, 100,000 units of this capacity would be for models with a gasoline engine and the remainder for the electric version.
If the report is accurate, there is no indication that the gas option would be offered in the U.S.
The previous generation 500 is built at a factory in Tychy, Poland. According to Automotive News, Fiat’s goal of just sale of electric vehicles starting in 2030 means the automaker has no intention of updating the older 500 to meet new EU rules.
However, the oldest 500 may continue to be sold outside of Europe. Fiat is considering moving its production from Poland to a factory in Algeria to serve the African and West Asian markets.