Plans call for adding Pajero Sport assembly at the operation in mid-2013, and output of a sedan is a possibility down the road, the auto maker's top executive says.
Once complete, the project will total 21 plants, including six car factories and 15 parts facilities. Each plant will be established as a separate joint venture with an auto maker or supplier.
The auto maker could forgo a Toyota-branded economy car and create a separate low-cost brand, as Renault did with Dacia in much of Europe, and as Nissan is planning with Datsun in Russia, India and Indonesia.
Critics contend Fiat is pulling the plug on the Classic in order to drive buyers toward the new-gen Panda made in Italy. The auto maker says upcoming regulations are forcing it to drop the model from its lineup.
Some plant operations will remain on three shifts because the Gliwice facility not only produces complete cars but also builds assembly kits for Russia.