Lancia will be introducing an all-new Ypsilon in 2024 which will be offered in hybrid and full-electric versions. With this product, the Italian heritage brand, now operating under the Stellantis group, has expressed its desire to benchmark the likes of Mercedes-Benz and rapidly expand into right-hand drive markets such as South Africa.
Based on information sourced by Automotive News Europe, company boss Luca Napolitano put forward a 10-year plan to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares for the relaunch of the iconic Lancia. As previously reported, this will consist of a new Ypsilon in 2024 and a compact crossover expected in 2026. This will be rounded off by a fully electric compact hatchback which is expected to arrive in 2028.
In an interview on Friday, Napolitano said “Clearly volumes are important, but our targets are about profitability,”
“We still need to work and need to look at a benchmark … which for us is Mercedes,” Napolitano said. “I don’t mean we want to fight against Mercedes, that would be naive, but that is an example of what we look at.”
While Alfa Romeo and DS are global brands, Lancia’s target is to move to Europe, initially targeting Germany and France, where electrification is moving faster, then adding countries including Spain, Belgium, Austria and the Nordics, he said.
“We initially target to make 25 per cent to 30 per cent of our sales abroad, to reach 50-50,” he said. “Our aggressive electrification strategy and our focus on market segments which are very strong in Europe will help us.”
Napolitano added that Lancia has been aimed to be the brand within Stellantis with the highest share of recycled materials. “We would like to build cars with a significant portion of recycled materials,” he said.
Lancia’s 10-year plan does not include getting back in-touch with its motorsport roots but it does have the intent to expand outside Europe. It will need to do this to grow credibility in the premium segment and to focus on priorities.
“However, in the coming year, if things go well, why not trying to bring (Lancia models with) right-hand drive also in Japan, South Africa or Australia?” he said.
Lancia’s expansion plan in Europe will be based on a light network of dealers that will only be found in large urban areas.
Napolitano said the target was to have around 100 Lancia selling points in Europe in around 60 cities, which would be shared with other Stellantis brands, while pushing online to reduce the amount of time potential buyers spend at dealers.
“My target is to make it possible to buy a car with just three clicks,” Napolitano said.
