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Fiat is responding to the runaway success of its retro-styled 500 supermini by making further increases in production capacity at the Tychy plant in Poland that builds it.
Original plans were to build just 60,000 500s a year, but booming demand from across Europe means that – in the first half of this year – no fewer than 94,000 orders were placed, and capacity at Tychy is being increased to 200,000 500s a year.
The Polish factory is well on its way to being the world’s busiest car plant, on course to produce over 500,000 cars this year. Alongside the 500, it currently manufactures the Fiat Panda, with production of the Ford Ka (the 500’s platform sister) set to begin in September.
Small car sales are booming across Europe, and Fiat’s plans to export the 500 to more markets, including the USA, mean that 500 production could rise even further. The Mini plant in Oxford is enjoying similar success, and is on course to build over 250,000 cars this year.
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