Although Stellantis recently announced an all-electric successor to the Fiat Panda, the current model seems to have a few more years to live. Production will not be shut down until the end of the decade, and Fiat plans to see it off with a special edition that bears a name pulled straight from the past – Autobianchi.
The legal battle in the background of the story
Why resurrect a brand that disappeared almost 30 years ago and put it on a platform that is more than a decade old? The answer lies in the European Union’s trademark regulations. According to the current rules, known as the “use it or lose it” principle (eng. use it or lose it), a car manufacturer that does not actively use a registered trademark on a production vehicle for an uninterrupted period of five years risks the complete loss of legal rights to that name. By releasing the Panda’s “Tributo Autobianchi” version, Stellantis effectively resets that legal clock, ensuring that a piece of Italian heritage remains under their control.
This strategy is not uncommon, and how dangerous it can be to ignore it is best shown by the case of Ferrari. The famous manufacturer has lost the exclusive rights to the trademark shape of its iconic model 250 GTO due to non-use. Adding to the pressure were rumors that the Italian government was considering taking over dormant brands owned by Stellantis, such as Autobianchi and Innocenti, in order to offer them to Chinese manufacturers interested in starting production in Italy.
Panda dressed in retro clothes
Instead of reviving Autobianchi as an independent brand, Stellantis decided to place its badge on one of the longest-running models in Fiat’s range. Spy photographers from the Italian magazine Quattroruote recently captured a heavily camouflaged Pandina prototype with the words “Tributo Autobianchi” clearly visible on the back door.
The unexpected branding points to a special edition that will play the nostalgia card. The model is based on the robust Pandana Cross version, with plenty of plastic trim around the body. No mechanical changes are expected from the standard model, according to Carscoops. This means that under the hood will be the familiar mild-hybrid one-liter three-cylinder Firefly engine that develops 69 horsepower. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
Changes will therefore be purely aesthetic in nature. It is possible that it will include new decorative elements on the front bumper, different alloy wheels and a vintage beige-brown shade reminiscent of the old Autobianchi color palette. It is also expected that the interior will receive special attention, probably with retro details and new materials.