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July 27, 2009
This Week:
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Fiat Panda exceeds production target
of 1,500,000
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1,5 million Fiat Panda produced (photo: the autogas
version) |
Another historical milestone for the
Panda and for the Fiat Auto Poland plant in Tychy, where it is
produced. The 1,500,000th Fiat Panda has just rolled off the
Polish production line: it was a 1.3 Multijet with an Emotion
outfit, magnetic blue in colour and destined for an Italian
customer.
Production of the Fiat Panda at Tychy
began in 2003 and has grown steadily over the years. This year,
a record number of 285,000 will be produced. The car has also
gained a growing number of admirers throughout all the major
European markets. This success has been borne out by its
numerous awards, including the prestigious title of Car of the
Year 2004. The Panda is a veritable market phenomenon by any
standards: it has remained the biggest-selling segment A car in
Europe without a break since 2003, and demand has stayed at
record levels over the years. |
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To illustrate its success, no fewer
than 93.3 percent of the Panda cars produced in Tychy have been
exported to 74 countries, including states such as Japan, South
Africa and Mexico (as well as Italy, France and Germany, the
car's major markets).
The Fiat Panda is marketed with four
types of engine, including three petrol units (54 HP 1.1, 60 HP
1.2 and 100 HP 1.4) and a diesel (the 70 HP 1.3 Multijet), with
low environmental impact and ultra-low fuel consumption. Not to
mention the four wheel drive 4x4 versions, special series (such
as Mamy, Glam and Adventure) and the eco-friendly methane and
LPG Natural Power versions, testaments to Fiat's respect for the
environment. The Fiat Panda can also be equipped with a manual
gearbox or Dualogic automatic transmission. |
The Tychy plant where the Fiat Panda is
produced is part of an automotive industry world élite, as recently
confirmed by the award of a Silver Level following a 'Word Class
Manufacturing' international audit for the use of the best and most
effective production process management methods. All this has a direct
impact on the quality of cars produced: for example, the Fiat Panda
achieved first place in the city car category – segments A and B - in a
reliability league table published by ADAC (German Automobile Club).
The Fiat Auto Poland plant in Tychy employs
nearly 6,000 people and one car rolls off its lines every 35 seconds. It
is forecast that the plant will produce a total of nearly 600,000 cars
this year.
(July 23, 09) Photo: Fiat
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