Here ends the long life of the Fiat Punto, the historic model from Turin that has sold some 9.5 million units since 1993. Its production at the SATA plant in Melfi (Pz) will end in the first half of next August.
The reason is clear: according to Alfredo Altavilla, FCA's Chief Operating Officer Emea, the costs are too high for a segment (defined as 'B') that is unprofitable and with 'low margins'. The development, production and sale of this type of car is unprofitable given the high discounts applied and customer choice based solely on price.
In addition, the latest industry data show how motorists' preferences have increasingly shifted towards SUV models.
Fiat Punto: 25 years of great success
Direct heir to other successful models of the past such as the One, its 127 and the 850was very successful in our country, particularly in the 1990s, when it managed to take the Volkswagen Golf the sceptre of Europe's best-selling car.
When it came out in 1993, the first generation included the GT with a 133 hp 1.4 Turbo engine, the cabriolet and special versions such as the HSD (High Safety Drive) and the 6 Speed with 6-speed gearbox.
In 1999, after 3.42 million units produced and coinciding with the Turin-based company's centenary, came the second generation of Fiat Punto revisited in design and engine.
The big change, however, came in 2005 with the Great Point signed by Italdesign by Giugiaro, which enters the market with LPG and CNG engines.
This was followed by the "EsseEsse"(with 180 hp), made by the Abarthand in 2009 the Punto Evo.
In spite of the decision of the company's top management, the new Punto had such a good debut on the Brazilian market (in Brazil it is called 'Argo') that the hypothesis of its debut in Italy as well, with manufacture in Poland or Turkey, has been left open.
Unfortunately, however, FCA's latest industrial guidelines have also ruled out this possibility.
