In a landmark event for Serbia’s automotive industry, Stellantis has commenced trial production of the electric Fiat Grande Panda at its Kragujevac factory, with full-scale production slated to begin in two months.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, underscoring the significance of this development for both the region and the country’s economy.
Stellantis, the majority owner of the Kragujevac plant with the Serbian government holding a minority stake, showcased the new model to President Vučić, who drove the vehicle to the company’s administrative building. Vučić hailed the event as a monumental day for Serbia and expressed confidence in the new model’s success, highlighting its potential contribution to Serbia’s GDP.
The Serbian government has supported Stellantis with a €48 million subsidy to facilitate the production of electric vehicles, which is expected to boost GDP growth by 0.5% next year. Vučić emphasized the need for Serbia to keep pace with global shifts towards electric vehicles, noting that Serbia is the only country in the Balkans with such production capabilities.
Carlos Tavares remarked on Stellantis’s commitment to continuing Fiat’s legacy in Serbia, acknowledging the challenges faced by the Kragujevac plant and expressing optimism for the future. The event marks a significant step forward in Serbia’s industrial and economic landscape, aligning with broader European trends in electric vehicle production and sustainability.