Fiat’s CEO, Olivier Francois, has hinted at the possibility of reviving the Punto brand, but only if the market demands a sleek and sporty hatchback. The Punto was last seen in 2018, but a new design could be possible as a response to the growing trend of electrification and the potential return of hatchbacks to fashion.
Francois stated that a “very sleek and sporty” Punto could work well in the era of electrification, but no such model is currently in development. The Fiat 600 and Grande Panda have already occupied the B-Segment, but the company hasn’t entirely ruled out the return of the popular nameplate in a future product focusing on sportiness and aerodynamic efficiency.
The market shift towards crossovers and SUVs has led to the discontinuation of some conventional hatchbacks, such as the Ford Fiesta and Focus. However, this trend might bring hatchbacks back into fashion, allowing automakers to develop new models.
If a new Punto were to be developed, it could be based on the STLA Small or STLA Medium architecture, which would put it in competition with other Stellantis offerings. Alternatively, Fiat could consider using the name for a sleek crossover, similar to the Citroen C4.
It’s worth noting that François cancelled the Punto successor in 2011, citing marketability reasons, but now seems open to revisiting the idea if the market demands it. An official sketch of the abandoned Punto successor was revealed in 2023, which shared similarities with the larger Fiat 500X.
The original Fiat Punto was introduced in 1993 and had two subsequent generations, with the last one produced until 2018. A revival of the Punto brand could be possible in the future, but it would depend on the market’s response to a sleek and sporty hatchback.