Fiat Chrysler starts Fiat 500 BEV pre-series production
Fiat Chrysler has completed the production lines for the electric version of the Fiat 500 at its Mirafiori plant in Turin and has started production of the pre-series. Production of the hybrid version of the Maserati Ghibli has also started.
The market launch of the Fiat 500 as an all-electric version is scheduled for June. According to an earlier report, Fiat Chrysler has invested around 700 million euros in the construction of the corresponding production line. It should enable the production of initially 80,000 units of the electric 500 per year. The presentation of the Fiat 500 with purely electric drive has been announced for the Geneva Motor Show 2020. The investment in the fully electric Fiat 500 is part of a total investment of five billion euros that Fiat Chrysler plans to invest in its Italian plants by 2021.
Meanwhile, the Italian-American car manufacturer reports that production of the hybrid version of the Maserati Ghibli has now started as planned. Only a few days ago Maserati published details of its electrification strategy. According to this strategy, hybrid and purely battery electric drives will be introduced in all new Maserati models. In addition, all new models will be developed and built entirely in Italy. It was already previously announced that the GranTurismo and GranCabrio 2021, the first purely electric Maserati models, will be produced in Turin. According to FCA, the investment in the production of this duo has now begun.
According to new information, money is also already flowing for the battery assembly centre planned in Turin. According to the group, the so-called “battery hub” will also have a technology center and prototype development. This shows: The Mirafiori plant is to become the linchpin in the Group’s strategy for the electrification and mobility of the future. Against this background, FCA is now also announcing several “sustainability projects” around the production site. For example, the company is aiming to install a large photovoltaic system on the site, as well as 850 charging points, 750 of which will be in the employees’ car parks. While the photovoltaic system will be installed in cooperation with the Edison company, FCA is relying on cooperation with energy company Engie for its charging infrastructure offensive.
“The new sustainability-focused projects announced today, together with the operational milestones already achieved, demonstrate how FCA is continuing to strengthen its activities, with the contribution of its people and its centers of excellence”, says Pietro Gorlier, Chief Operating Officer for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “With a series of new product launches and these innovative electrification-related projects, 2020 will be an incredibly important year for the Group’s future”. Speaking of innovative electrification projects: A few months ago, Fiat Chrysler announced that it would test vehicle-to-grid technology with a fleet of 600 to 700 electric cars. The car manufacturer signed a corresponding declaration of intent with the Italian energy provider Terna in September.
With reporting by Cora Werwitzke, France
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