Punto Moniker To Be Revived? Reports Suggest Its Already Underway

• Fiat Automobiles’ chief executive Olivier François has confirmed its development.
• The hatchback is likely to be based on PSA’s Common Modular Platform (CMP).
• It could return to India to rival other premium hatchbacks like Hyundai Elite i20.

The Fiat Punto moniker has been absent for quite some time, with the Italian carmaker pulling the plug on the hatchback in Europe back in 2018. In India however, it wasn’t until the start of the BS6 era on 1 April 2020 that the Punto was discontinued. However, reports suggest that a replacement for the Punto is  already under development.

In a report, Fiat Automobiles’ chief executive Olivier François said, “It’s not a mystery. That project has been postponed continuously. Now it is under development. But it would be premature to speak of this model. We will have a B-sector[premium hatchback], for sure.”

 

The next-gen Punto could be one of the fruits of the upcoming merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot SA (PSA) that is set to be finalised in 2020 itself. It could be based on PSA’s Common Modular Platform (CMP). It is the smallest modular platform in Group PSA’s lineup and underpins the new-gen Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa, rivals of the discontinued Punto. Since Fiat’s boss didn’t confirm its name, there are chances that it could get a new moniker. 

 

While we don’t expect Fiat to launch the Punto in India anytime soon, there are a couple of ways it could return to our shores. Group PSA is set to begin its India operations with the Citroen C5 Aircross that is slated for an early 2021 launch.  The following product is expected to make use of the CMP platform in India. And since FCA hasn’t exactly packed up its Indian operations entirely as it continues to offer the Jeep brand, the Punto could return as well.  If launched, it will rekindle its rivalry with the Hyundai Elite i20, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Tata Altroz, Honda Jazz, and the Volkswagen Polo.

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