Fiat’s new CEO Olivier François has announced that the Italian carmaker intends to gradually make its product line-up electric-only by the end of this decade.
“Between 2025 and 2030, our product line-up will gradually become electric-only. This will be a radical change for Fiat,” François said during an online discussion with renowned eco-friendly architect Stefano Boeri.
“The decision to launch the New 500 – electric and electric alone – was actually taken before Covid-19. Even then, we were already aware that the world could not take any more ‘compromises’. In fact, lockdown was only the latest of the warnings we have received,” François added.
The CEO also said he felt his company had a duty to bring electric cars to market at the same price as traditional petrol and diesel engines. But, and here’s the catch, he said this would have to happen as soon as the company can in line with falling battery costs.
Fiat is also aiming for a more stylish future following the appointment of Ex-Renault designer François Leboine as the brand’s design head. Leboine oversaw the development of the Renault 5 concept, as well as the Clio and Captur models among others.
His task will be to lead the design direction for Fiat’s electrified future, although the company has yet to detail its future EV product plans.
Fiat’s new parent company Stellantis announced earlier this year that it would give all 14 of its brands a chance to “rebound” with investments in new products. We’re also going to see a lot more technology sharing between the brands as the company wants to achieve synergies to the tune of 5 billion euro (R82 billion).
Under the auto giant’s new product strategy, Fiat will remain a core brand focussed on affordability, as will Citroen, while brands like Peugeot and Opel will move upmarket to become “upper mainstream”.