Fiat Halts Imports of Two Electric Models to Australia Amidst Chinese EV Competition
The Italian automaker cites market conditions driven by an influx of Chinese electric vehicles as the reason for discontinuing the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e in the Australian market.
Fiat, an Italian car manufacturer under the Stellantis Group, will cease importing its 500e electric hatchback and Abarth 500e electric hot hatch into Australia. The decision comes as the European automaker faces intense competition from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brands in the Australian market. Fiat has sold a limited number of vehicles in Australia, with just 144 units recorded in total, including 13 sales in the previous month. This sales figure is notably lower than those of high-end European manufacturers like Ferrari and Lamborghini in 2025.
The Abarth 500e electric hot hatch, introduced to Australia in 2024, saw its price significantly reduced from approximately $64,000 drive-away to $45,000 as the company sought to clear its remaining stock. This move underscores the challenges Fiat has faced in establishing a strong presence in the Australian market.
A spokesperson for Stellantis stated that Fiat is not withdrawing entirely from Australia but will reassess market demand for its future vehicle offerings. "We remain focused on ensuring the vehicles we bring to Australia meet customers' expectations," the spokesperson said. "Following Stellantis' recent confirmation of Fiat as one of its core global brands, we are excited by the opportunities the brand presents for the future."
The company confirmed that stock for the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e is largely depleted, and further orders are not planned at this stage while future product opportunities for the local market are evaluated. Stellantis reiterated its commitment to supporting existing Fiat and Abarth customers and the dealer network, promising further updates on future plans at an appropriate time. This development follows a similar trend for Peugeot, a sister company within Stellantis, which recently ended its Australian distribution partnership with Inchcape, also attributing the decision to difficult market conditions created by competitive Chinese automotive imports.
The Australian market has seen a substantial increase in the availability and sales of EVs from Chinese manufacturers, impacting the market share and sales performance of established international brands. [IMAGE2] Fiat announced it would no longer import two of its most popular electric models to Australia, citing competition from Chinese brands. [IMAGE1] The Fiat 500e electric hatchback and Abarth 500e electric (above) will no longer be sold in Australia. [IMAGE3] An aerial view shows BYD Seal 06 electric vehicles waiting to be loaded onto ships for export at Yantai Port on July 19, 2026, in Yantai, Shandong Province of China.