Production of the Fiat 500e will be paused for a month from 13 September, due to low demand.
Fiat parent firm Stellantis said in a statement that the slump in sales is “linked to the deep difficulties experienced in the European [EV] market by all producers”.
According to figures from Jato Dynamics, Fiat sold 74,885 examples of the 500 (in both petrol and electric forms) across Europe between January and the end of July, 24% fewer than it had over the same period last year.
Meanwhile, EVs’ market share in Europe fell to 13.5%, down from 14.6% in July 2023.
“The lack of clarity around the incentives for and future of EVs continues to present a barrier to consumers considering an EV,” Jato analyst Felipe Munoz said. “These factors, alongside the low residual value of EVs, contributed to the decline seen in July.”
Slow sales of the 500e – as well as the impending end of sales of the old petrol 500, due to new cybersecurity regulations – have pushed Fiat to develop the new 500 Ibrida.
Effectively the 500e retrofitted with a mild-hybrid petrol engine, it will serve as an all-important crutch for the Italian brand as it navigates the slower-than-expected transition to selling solely electric cars.
Fiat CEO Olivier François recently told Autocar: “We obviously, like everyone else, thought that the world would go electric faster and the cost of electrification would go down faster.
“But we couldn't imagine that Covid would happen, shortage of raw materials would happen [and] the European Society – not all, not the youngest part – would turn their backs on the sustainable solutions.
"But this is the reality. We have to face those realities.”
As well as introducing the 500 Ibrida, Fiat is investing some €100 million (£84m) into developing a new battery for the 500e.
Stellantis chief Carlos Tavares said this will "significantly increase range of the 500e while significantly reducing the cost".
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When product and pricing are good - customers will come, without any government incentives, mandates, city center entry prohibition, etc. As proven by Model T and horses.
Hmmm. Or is it just that the 500e is too expensive and buyers are migrating to cheaper Chinese EVs with more range? The European manufacturers have been too slow to electrify and then at too high a price point. They need to compete with the MG4 and the BYD Dolphin Mini. But they are too busy building premium vehicles that aren't affordable in tough economic times. Winding the clock back to hybrids and ICE cars isn't going to save anyone in the long term.