Fiat CEO Olivier François hailed it as a commitment to the Italian car industry, calling the brand’s home nation “our driving force and our future”.
François hinted that slow sales of the 500e in Italy prompted action, noting that “90% of Mirafiori production goes abroad”.
No doubt the decision has also been taken to free up space at Tychy, where Fiat parent company Stellantis is soon to start building Chinese firm Leapmotor’s new T03 electric supermini.
François added: “To increase the number of 500s on the road in Italy and to answer the Italian customers, we have decided to produce the new 500 Ibrida.
“The new 500 Ibrida has an Italian name, will be developed and designed in Turin and [will be] proudly made in Mirafiori.
“It’s clear that Mirafiori plays a strategic role for the brand and that we’re also continuing investing in Italy, the 500 and Mirafiori.”
To that end, the 500 Ibrida will use engines made at Stellantis’s factory in Termoli, on the Adriatic coast, exhausts fabricated in Napoli and gearboxes assembled at Mirafiori.
As well as announcing the 500 Ibrida, Fiat reiterateed it will invest some €100 million (£85m) into the 500e, with plans to redesign its platform for new battery technologies aimed at improving its affordability.
This suggests an update for the 500e is also due around 2026.