Fiat Palio
These figures include sales statistics of the Fiat Palio hatchback and the Palio Weekend station wagon. Sales of the Fiat Siena sedan are published separately. From 2011 until 2013, Chinese automaker Zotye produced and sold a copy of the Palio hatchback in China under license from Fiat. The Zotye Z200HB had a slightly remodeled front to give it a more modern look. Zotye has also made a licensed clone of the Fiat Multipla in China, named the Zotye M300 Langyue (Longview), including an all-electric version of that car. Read more about these stories in our article about car models which continued to be produced under a new owner and a new name in China after having been retired from their original market.
Fiat Palio Overview
The Fiat Palio is a compact car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat since 1996. It was primarily aimed at emerging markets and was part of a project that also brought forth several other models. The Palio was part of Fiat’s “Project 178”, a venture aimed at producing a series of world cars for emerging markets. The project produced the Palio hatchback, the Siena sedan, the Palio Weekend station wagon, and the Strada light pick-up truck.
The Fiat Palio has seen multiple generations and facelifts over its production span, with designs evolving to stay contemporary. Each iteration brought about improved aesthetics, better build quality, and advancements in technology. Depending on the market and the production year, the Palio was offered with a variety of gasoline and diesel engines, ranging from smaller, fuel-efficient ones to larger, more powerful ones. Over time, these engines saw improvements in terms of efficiency and emissions to meet local regulations.
While the Palio was available in various countries, it was particularly popular in emerging markets like Brazil, India, and South Africa. In these markets, it was lauded for its affordability, decent build quality, and the reputation of the Fiat brand. Given its target market, the Palio often came with basic features in its base variant but did offer better-equipped variants for those willing to pay a premium. Over time, safety features, entertainment systems, and creature comforts were improved and updated.
Fiat Palio Sales Figures
The Palio was generally well-received in markets where it was introduced. It was often appreciated for its driveability, practicality, and value for money. However, competition in the compact segment meant that the Palio had to constantly evolve to keep up with rivals. In its segment, the Palio faced competition from a myriad of other hatchbacks, both from international brands and local manufacturers. Cars like the Volkswagen Gol in Brazil or the Maruti Suzuki hatchbacks in India were some of its competitors. Production of the Palio was eventually phased out in many markets as Fiat updated its lineup or as the model faced stiff competition from newer entrants.
Fiat Palio Europe Sales Data & Charts
Europe Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 52,585 |
| 2000 | 49,053 |
| 2001 | 22,466 |
| 2002 | 9,769 |
| 2003 | 2,293 |
| 2004 | 12,943 |
| 2005 | 9,897 |
Europe Annual Growth
Fiat Palio China Sales Data & Charts
China Annual Sales
| Year | Sales Units |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 13,914 |
| 2003 | 16,443 |
| 2004 | 15,575 |
| 2005 | 22,284 |
| 2006 | 19,191 |
| 2007 | 11,191 |
