If the market brings back fashionable sedans, Fiat could consider dusting the nickname Punto
February 18, 2025 at 1:10 PM
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- Fiat CEO, Olivier François, spoke of the potential of a new Punto.
- He said that a punto “very elegant and sporty” could have a meaning as EV.
- However, such a model would only be taken into account if the market changes.
The Punto has been absent from the Fiat range since 2018, but a new CEO comment leaves a small window of possibility open for its return. Olivier François said that a new Punto could work as an “elegant and sporty” tailgate in the electrification era, although no model of this type is currently being developed.
The Fiat 600 marked the return of the company to the B segment. The small SUV was joined by the Fiat Grande Panda in 2024, covering a space formerly occupied by the deceased Punto. However, the Italian brand has not completely excluded the return of the popular signage plate in a future product by emphasizing sportiness and aerodynamic efficiency.
More: what European car should it import or rebadger for America?
During a recent interview with coach on the new generation panda, Fiat CEO, Olivier François, said: “If Punto was very elegant and sporting, it would be extremely linked to the future of electrification.” The CEO clearly indicated that a new Punto is not currently planned, but it would be “ready to respond to any change of market”.
In recent years, some conventional sedans – including the Ford Fiesta and Focus – have been interrupted in favor of more profitable and more popular crosswhies. The latter are slightly raised versions, although they often adopt sporting characteristics and more elegant roof lines. This trend – in combination with the growing need of better aerodynamics – could bring back fashionable sedans, allowing car manufacturers to invest in their development.
The most plausible scenario for a future Fiat Punto would be to climb on the small architecture of the STLA, an evolution of the CMP foundations of the Peugeot 208, Opel Corsa and the undercompact Berlions of Lancia Ypsilon. However, this would put him on a crowded market with numerous Stellantis offers in competition for the same customers, which endangers the fragile balance of the conglomerate.
The same thing would apply in the case of a larger punto which could be based on the average STLA architecture, as with the successors of the Peugeot 308, Opel Astra and Lancia Delta. In addition, Tipo, Bravo or Stilo nicknames would be more suitable for a compact tailgate with the Fiat emblem that looks like stretching.
Another option would be to use Punto name for an elegant crossover, similar to the Citroen C4. However, Fiat has already teased an upcoming production model with its FastBack concept from last year, which does not fall into the “elegant and sporting” description.
There was going to be a new punto but François canceled it
It should be noted that François was responsible for the cancellation of Punto’s successor when he resumed the position of the CEO of the Fiat in 2011. He described the canceled model as “correct but not super-light”, citing reasons marketing for its disappearance. François wanted a world model that could make “huge volumes”, something that is easier to achieve with a crossover / SUV rather than a small sedan.
Plus: Fiat shares the details on the abandoned Punto successor
During the presentation of the Fiat 600 in 2023, we had an overview of an official sketch of what would become a new Punto – if the project had not been abandoned. It turns out that Fiat applied a design similar to the 500x larger and larger.
The original Fiat Punto was introduced in 1993 to replace UNO. The second generation arrived in 1999 with a clearer style, followed by the Grande Punto in 2005. The latter remained in production until 2018 with the help of two subsequent facelifts. It turned out to be the last of its kind, at least until Fiat decides to dust off the signage plate in the (distant) future.
Fiat Punto (2012-2015)
