Fiat Builds 2 Millionth Panda

VIENNA – Production of the second-generation Fiat Panda this week topped the 2 million mark since launch in May 2003 at the Fiat Auto Poland plant in Tychy, Poland.

Italy has been the main market for the car with 1,204,734 units sold, followed by Germany (164,600) and France (125,239). The Polish market took 5.8% of the total, or 115,465 units.

Tychy plant’s 2 millionth Panda.

Currently the Panda is offered with three gasoline engines, a 54-hp 1.1L, 69-hp 1.2L and 77-hp 1.4L, and the 75-hp 1.3L MultiJet diesel. Compressed-natural-gas and liquefied-petroleum-gas versions are available as well.

Originally, Fiat planned to call the car the Gingo and already had distributed brochures with that name to potential customers in spring 2003.

However, Renault complained the name sounded too similar to Twingo and threatened to take Fiat to court.

As a result, Fiat decided to use Panda, the name of a Fiat small car manufactured between 1980 and 2003.

The Polish Fiat plant is expected to produce the current Panda at least until 2012. The next-generation model will be made in Italy.