The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Serbia plant in Kragujevac has begun production of prototypes of Serbia’s first electric car, designated for “Crash” tests and other evaluations currently underway within the factory compound, as reported by Tanjug. Sasha Djordjevic, President of the Independent Syndicate of FCA Serbia, shared with Tanjug that the streets of Kragujevac will soon witness the presence of the first domestically manufactured electric vehicles.
Djordjevic emphasized the necessity of protecting the vehicle during its developmental stages, noting that such measures are standard practice among global manufacturers. He expressed anticipation for the forthcoming presentation of the electric car and its subsequent presence on both Serbian and global roads.
In 2022, Stellantis, the parent company of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Serbia plant, announced plans to introduce a fully electric vehicle to the market by the year’s end. The preparations for electric car production spanned two years, during which the Kragujevac facility underwent equipment upgrades, and employees received extensive training at Stellantis factories in Italy and Poland.
Djordjevic highlighted the collective expectation among company employees for the new model to garner significant interest from buyers, potentially leading to heightened sales and increased production levels. This, in turn, would translate into improved wages for workers, thereby closing a significant cycle of anticipation within the company.
While speculation suggested that the electric car might be a revamped version of Fiat’s “Panda” model, Stellantis has yet to officially disclose the vehicle’s name or appearance.
The global unveiling of the new car is slated for the summer, with serial production scheduled to commence in the third quarter of the year.