FCA to spend 1 billion euros on new models – Fiat 500 EV, Panda hybrid for 1H 2020; Tonale 1H 2021: report

FCA to spend 1 billion euros on new models – Fiat 500 EV, Panda hybrid for 1H 2020; Tonale 1H 2021: report

Alfa Romeo Tonale concept.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will invest nearly 1 billion euros (RM4.62 billion) towards the start of production for the forthcoming Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV and the Fiat Panda hybrid at the Pomigliano manufacturing plant, unions have said according to Reuters.

This investment move is the latest part of a plan in which FCA plans to spend 5 billion euros until 2021, which is aimed at helping the group of companies launch its first batch of hybrid and electric models, as well as to maximise capacity utilisation at its production plants, the report said.

Construction of the Tonale’s production line will commence at the beginning of next year, metal mechanic unions FIM, UILM, FISMIC, UGLM and AQCF said in a statement, which was then confirmed by an FCA spokesperson to Reuters. The investment for the forthcoming two models would be ‘closer to 1 billion than 500 million euros’, the spokesperson noted.

FCA to spend 1 billion euros on new models – Fiat 500 EV, Panda hybrid for 1H 2020; Tonale 1H 2021: report

The spokesperson said that alongside the electrified Panda, a premium compact SUV will be produced at the southern Italian Pomigliano plant though without referring to it explicitly as the Tonale, the report said. This manufacturing plant already produces the standard internal combustion-engined Panda. Production of the hybrid Panda is expected to start in 1H 2020, with the Tonale following suit in 2021.

The group of automotive brands said earlier this year that it was investing 700 million euros for the construction of a new production line in Mirafiori, Turin for the Fiat 500 BEV, production of which will start in the second quarter of 2020, following the group’s failed bid to merge with Renault.

Further afield within the group, the Jeep Renegade and Compass will spawn hybrid versions as well, as will the Maserati Levante, all expected to arrive on the market some time next year, the report added.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Ex-Punto owner on Sep 05, 2019 at 2:30 pm

    Hope Milan Auto could brought back Fiat to Msia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
    • Azlan Yusoff on Sep 05, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      Milan Auto was a lazy company with abang2 just goyang kaki in opis. That is why it failed

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
      • Jeremy on Sep 05, 2019 at 5:27 pm

        Italians are well known to laze about at work. Its their culture. Not like the Brits. So you see why Brit want to leave EU.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 8
        • AutoFrenz on Sep 05, 2019 at 7:34 pm

          john in 2017 implied that Brits were lazy too. Your point?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
        • Leonardo on Sep 05, 2019 at 7:51 pm

          The Brits made the right choice to change.
          Same2 Rakyat here made the right choice..

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
      • Ghani Muzaffar on Sep 05, 2019 at 7:31 pm

        Like this, Proton workers also the same…..like to rilak and tido.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
        • Brian on Sep 06, 2019 at 8:18 am

          If Italian workers can rilak & tido, so why not Proton workers too? No need stress for what.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
        • This is a FIAT article. Nothing to do with Proton you Japanese fanboy.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Raveen Andrews on Sep 05, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      Last time you go to Milan Auto showroom, most of them are asleep or lepakking with their gf or their many wives

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
      • JOACHIM on Sep 05, 2019 at 9:59 pm

        Can’t avoid when Milanese are wellknown to be romantics and take the easy life.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • MyCarMyLife on Sep 06, 2019 at 9:20 am

    What happened to the Alfa Romeo franchise in Malaysia was the bloody fiasco of Sime Darby Auto Conn not Milan Auto!
    Tamak and idiots, how many Alfas have they put on the road since they grabbed the agency?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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