Second Generation Fiat 500 Coming in 2015; Will Be Built in Poland

FiatFiatItaly, 1899 > present159 models
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plans to launch a second generation, modern Fiat 500Fiat 500 (modern)Italy, 2007 > present240 versions
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in 2015 and production for the version sold internationally will be moved from Chrysler'sChryslerUnited States of America, 1925 > present70 models
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factory in Mexico to Fiat's factory in Tychy, Poland. 

The move in production is justified for two reasons. First, it decreases capacity at the Tychy factory that used to build the PandaFiat Panda Gen.2Italy, 2003 > 201132 versions
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. Second, it allows Chrysler to build cars for North America. 

Chrysler currently builds the 500 under license at its Toluca, Mexico, factory. The car is slightly different from the version sold in Europe. It has a rounder front grill, increased body rigidity, a suspension layout tuned for American roads, larger fuel tank, improved heating and cooling and revised steering. 

By building the second generation in Poland, Fiat could build one version of the car for the entire world. 

The Tychy factory built the first two generations of the Panda, but Fiat moved production of the third generation to Italy. Building the 500 there would take up much of the lost capacity. 

Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to increase production of its vehicles in Europe to take high production capacity. During the North American International Auto Show, Marchionne said that Chrysler's factories are roughly at capacity in North America. Moving 500 production to Europe would mean an extra 100,000 units of capacity at Toluca to build cars for North America. 

Source: Automotive News Europe