Stellantis has confirmed earlier reports that it will build a hybrid version of the Fiat 500 in Italy. The move reflects slower than expected sales of the all-electric 500 model made at the Mirafiori plant.

Olivier Francois, Fiat brand CEO and global Stellantis Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), emphasized the strategic role of the Fiat Miraifiori plant in Turin, as well as Italy's importance to the brand.

The historic Mirafiori plant will be the production site of the new Fiat 500 Ibrida, a new made-in-Italy hybrid model set to be released between late 2025 and early 2026. 

Olivier Francois said: “Fiat is proud to be a flag-bearer for Italy throughout the world. Italy serves as our foundation, our driving force and our future. And Mirafiori is one of our engines which represents Italy, its people, its values, its pride and the 500. But today, 90% of Mirafiori production goes abroad.

“To increase the number of 500s on the road in Italy and to answer the Italian customers, we have decided to produce the new 500 Ibrida. The new 500 Ibrida has an Italian name, will be developed and designed in Turin and proudly Made in Mirafiori. It is clear that Mirafiori plays a strategic role for the brand and that we are also continuing investing in Italy, the 500 and Mirafiori.”

The hybrid version will be developed, engineered and designed in Turin, like the 500e. The engine will come from the Stellantis plant in Termoli, the exhaust system will be produced in Napoli, and the gearbox will also be manufactured in Mirafiori.

Stellantis has announced a €100m investment to boost the potential of the Fiat 500e with a redesigned platform that it says will embed new generation battery tech to ‘make the model more affordable for customers’.