Update 12/12: Well, it’s that time of the week again, as Stellantis can’t tell how much time it needs to shut down production at its Mirafiori factory in Italy. On this occasion, we are informed that the closure, which affects electric Fiat 500s and Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio, will be extended until January 20, 2025, two full weeks longer than previously announced. Production will be prevented from December 18, 2024.
Stellantis said it was still “evaluating” its order books for January, but declined to comment on media speculation about weak Fiat 500e sales. “We will make announcements about January activities next week,” the company told Reuters in a statement. next chapter.
Lackluster demand for the all-electric Fiat 500e has once again led Stellantis to halt production at the Italian factory that makes the pint-sized electric sedan. Despite Fiat’s hopes of making the 500e a revolutionary style, the opposite was true.
Previously, Stellantis announced that it would close production at the Mirafiori factory between December 2 and January 5, 2025. Initially, the factory was scheduled to close from December 18 to January 5 due to the Christmas and New Year holidays. New. However, the company recently informed unions that production would also stop from December 2 to 17, extending the stoppage longer than initially planned.
Review: The Fiat 500e is a trendy electric vehicle, but at what price?
The Fiat 500e has proven to be a thorn in Stellantis’ side in recent months. In September, the automotive conglomerate revealed that production of the 500e would be suspended from the second week of this month until October 11. , Stellantis extended the closure until November 1.
The disturbance will not only affect the number 500. The Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio are also produced at the Mirafiori plant, meaning either model will be affected during the December shutdown, Reuters reports.
The reception of the 500 was poor in the United States. This year, less than 500 copies have been sold locally; Fiat has unveiled several special edition models in recent months. These come with the 500th Giorgio Armani, the 500th “Inspired By Los Angeles”, the 500th “Inspired By Beauty” and some others known as “Inspired By Music”.
Read: Fiat still fails to sell the number 500 and extends the cessation of vehicle production
While many companies would consider cutting their losses after such disappointing sales, Stellantis is taking a different approach—at least for now. The brand has already committed to investing €100 million ($105 million) into developing a new high-performance battery for the 500e that should boost its dismal driving range and contribute to improved performance. Fiat is also reverse-engineering the 500e to accommodate a hybrid drivetrain with plans to launch this model in late 2025 or early 2026.