Local Fiat importer and distributor UCIM Co Ltd has brought the new Panda Pop to the Maltese market, making it available alongside the popular Panda Classic.

The new model has arrived just in time for the Fiat Open Days, the event which started yesterday and runs until April 30 at the showroom in Birkirkara’s Psaila Street. The event is being held in collaboration with Ice Watch and is offering attractive discounts on Fiat’s latest range with many watches to give away. All new buyers of a Fiat 500 will get a free Ice Watch. Visitors to the Fiat event booking a test drive will be in with a chance to win an Ice Watch.

The Panda has carved a track record for success. The second-generation Panda has been remarkably successful. Data gathered by Fiat has revealed it became the European leader in the A segment in 2003, a position it maintains today.

The report shows that with the introduction of new competitors and low CO2 emission vehicle incentive policies in the main European markets, the A segment grew in terms of total volumes and reached its peak in 2009. The segment totalled 1.7 million vehicles, of which 300,000 were Pandas sold.

As a result of the economy and the tradeback advance policy which mainly impacted the city car segment, sales volumes have been decreasing since 2010 and so has the weight of the A segment over the industry total, slipping from around 12 per cent at the beginning of 2009 to 8.5 per cent in 2011. However, a gradual growth is expected in the next year – also as a result of new model launches – which will take levels nearer the values of 2009 over the next five years.

The Panda continues to preserve the winning aspects of its commercial success and consolidates the style, technology, safety, and functionality aspects on which customers are no longer willing to compromise.

UCIM managing director Francesca Mamo said the new Panda Pop will attract customers looking for a new, accessibly priced product, technological advancement and performance.

“These customers will be tempted by the innovative features of the TwinAir engine or of the TomTom Live pack,” Ms Mamo added.

The Pop’s introductory price slashes €900 off the tag making it available at €11,100.

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