irishcar.com

31 July 2003: Fiat has decided to name its new supermini ‘Panda’, maintaining the name of the original 'plain box' model which was launched in 1980 and will only end production in September.

The new Panda was launched as the ‘Gingo’ during its motor show previews, and it is understood that Renault expressed concerns that the name was too similar to its Twingo, a competitor in the same segment.

The new Panda will have in its engine options the new Fiat 1.3-litre Multijet turbodiesel which is also upcoming in a number of other Fiat, Opel and Suzuki models.

According to company research, almost 90% of the public in Italy recall the name, compared to less than 40% in the case of other well known cars on the market.

	July 2003 - Trish Whelan
Fiat maintains Panda name for new car 31 July 2003: Fiat has decided to name its new supermini ‘Panda’, maintaining the name of the original 'plain box' model which was launched in 1980 and will only end production in September. The new Panda was launched as the ‘Gingo’ during its motor show previews, and it is understood that Renault expressed concerns that the name was too similar to its Twingo, a competitor in the same segment. The new Panda will have in its engine options the new Fiat 1.3-litre Multijet turbodiesel which is also upcoming in a number of other Fiat, Opel and Suzuki models. According to company research, almost 90% of the public in Italy recall the name, compared to less than 40% in the case of other well known cars on the market.
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