Less than a month after Fiat announced a production stop for the 500e, the Italians have done it again.
Both Fiat and Maserati will cease their assembly lines on December 18th, and now it’s reported that production won’t resume until January 20th, 2025, at the earliest.
According to Reuters, Stellantis, the parent company of Fiat and Maserati, attributes the extended halt to a "review of its order books."
However, the European-American car group has refrained from providing further details on the situation.
What's Happening at Fiat?
This development comes amid broader issues for the brand.
Earlier this year, Fiat announced plans to produce hybrid versions of the 500, signaling a shift in its strategy. At the same time, Fiat’s management has been under pressure from the Italian government to explain why the brand is struggling to sell electric cars.
The halt in production also impacts other models produced at the Mirafiori factories, including the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio.
In the U.S., Fiat is facing a tough market.
Despite releasing several special editions in an attempt to boost sales, fewer than 500 new Fiat 500s have been sold across the entire country in 2023.
Fiat has historically struggled in the U.S., where the brand's quality issues earned it the unflattering nickname "Fix It Again, Tony."
The irony lies in the true meaning of Fiat's name: Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, which translates to "Italian Automobile Factory of Turin."
