Do you still remember the Fiat Punto? Yes, the model launched in 2005 as Grande Punto, then Punto Evo and now simply Punto. Apart from the different denominations, the current generation of Fiat Punto celebrates this year its 12th anniversary, the equivalent of two generations of models in the competition. A model that was among the best sellers in the European market, with a peak of more than 400 thousand units sold in 2006. Last year it sold just over 60 thousand units.
This model has long asked for a successor, but so far, not even a small glimpse. It's because? In a word: the crisis. The international crisis that broke out at the end of the last decade caused the European market to shrink by four million cars sold a year and provoked a fierce price war between the various manufacturers. There was a brutal depletion on the margins of the builders and, naturally, the lower segments would be the most affected.
Fiat Punto, if its commercial career followed the natural course, should have had a successor sometime in 2012, precisely at the peak of the crisis in sales and profitability in the automobile market. Sergio Marchionne, FCA's CEO, took the decision not to replace him, as he would be injecting massive doses of financial resources into a project that would not bring any return to the brand.
Instead, he's diverted (and well) resources to Jeep and Ram, as well as projects like the Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart (less well). And we still have to await the verdict on the decision on the high-risk bet called Alfa Romeo.
We are in 2017 and the crisis is already there. The last 3-4 years have seen a recovery in the European market, which has returned to pre-crisis levels. Wouldn't it be time to see a successor to Punto? Historically, this has always been one of Fiat's strongest segments, but the Italian brand, beyond some speculative statements, seems to have forgotten about the Punto. Panda and 500 have been doing a very good job of themselves, it's true, even defying the laws of the market with the 500 – 10 years on the market and 2017 promises to be their best sales year -, but it lacks a more solid presence in one of the the highest volume segments in Europe.
The X6H project
However, on the other side of the Atlantic, in Brazil, there have been rumors in recent years that a new model, known internally as the X6H, would replace the Palio and Punto in one fell swoop. It should be noted that the Brazilian Fiat Punto, beyond its name and appearance, has nothing to do with the European Punto. It derives from the Palio base, while the European Punto derives from the Small base (SCCS), developed in common with GM, which was also used by the Opel Corsa D, Corsa E and Adam.
From rumor to quick confirmation, we recently met the new Fiat Argo . Aimed at the heart of segment B, Argo debuts a new modular platform, or rather, almost new. MP1, as it is called, derives and conserves 20% of the Brazilian Punto platform, which in turn derives from Fiat's “eternal” South American platform that comes from the first Palio in the 1990s. MP1 as a global platform, from which more models will be derived, confirming for now a three-volume saloon (X6S).
The Fiat Argo not only debuts the MP1 but also new engines. denominated firefly , correspond to a modular family of gasoline engines, with three and four cylinders, with 1000 and 1300 cm3 respectively. These engines will arrive in Europe and will even be produced here, at the FCA Powertrain facility in Bielsko-Biała, Poland. The three-cylinder will be the first to arrive, with production starting in 2018.
Visually, the Argo is close to the Fiat Tipo, with dimensions typical of the segment – 4.0 m long and 1.75 m wide. According to the Brazilian press, it has good levels of habitability and luggage space (300 liters), superior to Punto (Brazilian) in several aspects.
Can the Fiat Argo replace the Fiat Punto in Europe?
The Argo was developed, above all, for the needs of the South American market and, by extension, the Indian one. In India, Punto is also marketed, having much in common with the Brazilian Punto. Local production allowed it to receive a new front and even a crossover variant, called Avventura. Argo is expected to replace Punto in India later in the decade.
Fiat Punto Avventura
But the European market is another story. Did the Argo design take into account the most demanding European market? The answer, at the moment, is not definitive. Recent rumors indicate that Argo's adaptation for Europe is under consideration. In this adaptation, the focus is on complying with the most demanding European active and passive safety levels. It may involve structural changes, such as the use of a greater quantity of high-strength steels, such as the addition of electronic safety equipment.
In parallel, and officially, it is known that within 12 months the factory in Pomigliano, in southern Italy, where the Panda is produced, should receive a new model. And it may not be the successor to the Panda – which could be replaced in 2018 – as some rumors indicate that the Panda production will return to Tychy, Poland, joining the Fiat 500 again. production site of the new Punto, which according to rumors, could be introduced as early as 2018.
At the moment, the odds of Fiat Argo replacing Punto seem to play in their favor. But is Argo the best solution? Only time will tell…