This autumn marks a significant milestone for the Balkans as Serbia is set to begin the serial manufacture of its first electric car, the Fiat Grande Panda. The new model, presented by carmaker Stellantis on Monday in the city of Kragujevac, is expected to position Serbia as a leader in the region’s automotive industry.
A Major Investment and a Strategic Partnership
The launch of the Fiat Grande Panda electric car is the result of a €190 million joint investment agreement signed two years ago between the Serbian government and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Stellantis, the multinational automobile giant formed by the merger of FCA and the French group Peugeot-Citroen, has invested €142 million in this project. The Serbian government has provided a subsidy of €48 million to support the initiative.
At the promotion ceremony, attended by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, it was highlighted that Serbia would become the first country in the Balkans to manufacture electric cars on a serial basis.
A Boost to Serbia’s Economy
President Vučić emphasized the importance of this project for Serbia, stating, “This is a huge opportunity for us. We are the only ones in the region of the former Yugoslavia that have an electric car factory.” He expressed confidence that the production of the Grande Panda would contribute significantly to the country’s GDP growth, predicting a 0.5% increase next year.
Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, hailed the beginning of electric car manufacturing in Kragujevac as a milestone in Fiat’s business, stating that it opens a new chapter for the company in Serbia. Silvia Vernetti, the manager of the Stellantis plant in Kragujevac, reflected on the long-standing partnership between Fiat and Serbia, which began 16 years ago. Since 2022, more than 65,000 Fiat 500L mid-class cars have been manufactured in Kragujevac.
Innovative and Affordable
The Fiat Grande Panda electric car is set to feature a range of 320 kilometers, making it a practical choice for consumers. The model is expected to be sold for slightly less than €25,000, though in Serbia, the price could drop to around €18,000 thanks to the anticipated state subsidies.
The formal unveiling of the Grande Panda model took place in Turin on July 11, 2024, marking the beginning of a new era for Serbia’s automotive industry. With the start of serial manufacture just around the corner, Serbia is poised to become a key player in the production of electric vehicles in the region.
