ONE of the UK’s cheapest cars has reportedly been pulled from sale after almost a decade – with an EV replacement is on the way.
The model was one of only three available new for under £15,000 but fans still have some time to pick one up.
The original Fiat Panda was first released 1980 and enjoyed huge popularity, especially after a refreshed version came to the UK in 2012.
At £14,750, only the Dacia Sandero and Spring could be had cheaper unless you opted for a microcar.
Autocar is now reporting that the car has been withdrawn from sale as part of a push towards electrification.
It is understood that the decision may be partly motivated by the introduction of the ZEV Mandate, which requires a certain percentage of sales to be “zero-emission vehicles”.
The Italian brand currently has a rate of just 10%, with a level of 22% required by the end of the year.
If it falls below that mark, it could face hefty fines for each car it sells over the threshold.
As such, the Panda will be replaced by a new model, dubbed the Grande Panda.
The car will be a sister car of the new Citroen C3 and come in both electric and mild hybrid specs.
Fans will still be able to get hold of the original version, with stocks reportedly set to last until the arrival of the replacement in December.
It will also be available in Europe for some time as sales remain strong, despite falling below 5,000 in the UK since 2020.
After that, though, the car will see a price bump, with the new electric SUV clocking in at £22,000.
Fiat has been contacted for comment.
It comes after we revealed five of the best starter cars for new drivers, all of which are fantastically cheap to insure.
