logo
The Grande Panda 4x4 Looks Like a Fiat That Americans Would Love

The Grande Panda 4x4 Looks Like a Fiat That Americans Would Love

Car and Driver20-05-2025
Fiat just unveiled the Grande Panda 4x4 concept as a "direct heir" to the Panda 4x4 of the 1980s.
The new concept rides on a set of steel wheels wrapped in knobby tires and rocks a fabulous maroon paint complete with fender cladding and a roof rack for extra storage.
Fiat surely won't sell the new Grande Panda here in the United States—it hasn't even confirmed production—but we really think they should reconsider both positions.
We're spoiled for choice when it comes to small crossovers in the United States. But that doesn't mean we don't pine for more. So, when Fiat unveiled the spectacular new Grande Panda 4x4 concept, our hearts fluttered at the thought of driving such a car in the U.S.
Sure, it looks tougher and more capable than it probably is, but the adorable little Panda sports brawny styling with steel wheels and the obligatory fender cladding that advertises its 4x4 status. Fiat says the new Grande Panda concept is a "direct heir" to the original Panda 4x4 that launched in 1983. With an affordable price and a raised ride height, that model became an instant hit among off-roaders.
Fiat
The new concept is based on Fiat's current Grande Panda that comes in electric and hybrid formats. Fiat says the Grande Panda 4x4 concept is planned with an "electrified innovative rear axle"—whatever that means. As it's just a concept, Fiat remains mum on the finer details, so we're left to wonder about what powers the front axle as well.
The brand hasn't actually confirmed production plans, but Fiat's European boss, Gaetano Thorel, indicated to Autocar that it could someday hit the road. "Surely we will have this car on the road in the future–but not tomorrow," Thorel told Autocar.
Assuming Fiat does put the Grande Panda 4x4 into production, we think the Italian marque should consider bringing it to North America. The brand sold fewer than 1000 of its electric 500e in the U.S. last year, which suggests it isn't very desirable to Americans. But one thing Americans are obsessed with is a lifted crossover that looks like it could be taken off-road, and the new Grande Panda 4x4, albeit tiny, projects that image.
Jack Fitzgerald
Associate News Editor
Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why Garret Motion Stock Triumphed on Thursday
Why Garret Motion Stock Triumphed on Thursday

Yahoo

time35 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Why Garret Motion Stock Triumphed on Thursday

Key Points Management's raised guidance for the entirety of 2025 didn't hurt, either. It increased its forecasts for both sales and headline net income. 10 stocks we like better than Garrett Motion › The stop lights were green for automotive technology company Garrett Motion (NASDAQ: GTX) on Thursday at least as far as its stock was concerned. Investors bid Garrett up by more than 3% that day, due mainly to its encouraging set of quarterly earnings figures. That rise was notably higher than that of the S&P 500 index, which crawled less than 0.1% higher. An accelerating bottom line Garrett's second-quarter results, published Thursday morning, featured rises in key metrics. The company's net sales didn't exactly boom, but they did increase almost 3% year over year to $913 million. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) net income rose more strongly, advancing by nearly 36% to $87 million. On a non-GAAP (adjusted), per-share basis, the bottom line grew by 48% to $0.43. Although the consensus analyst estimate was $918 million, Garrett crushed the adjusted bottom-line pundit forecast of $0.42. In the earnings release, Garrett attributed its improvements to broad gains in a number of cutting-edge product segments. It quoted CEO Olivier Rabiller as saying the company "reinforced our leadership in turbocharging, by securing awards for more than $1 billion in light vehicle program extensions while continuing to advance our zero-emission technologies, achieving new milestones in our e-powertrain, e-cooling, and fuel cell programs." Turbocharged guidance Garrett clearly believes the positive momentum will continue, as it raised both its top-line and profitability guidance for the entirety of 2025. The company is now projecting that net sales will come in at $3.4 billion to $3.6 billion (previous guidance: $3.3 billion to $3.5 billion). GAAP net income should be $233 million to $278 million, up from the former estimate of $209 million to $254 million. Should you invest $1,000 in Garrett Motion right now? Before you buy stock in Garrett Motion, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Garrett Motion wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $634,627!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,046,799!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,037% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Eric Volkman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Garrett Motion. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Garret Motion Stock Triumphed on Thursday was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Why O'Reilly Automotive Stock Raced Higher Today
Why O'Reilly Automotive Stock Raced Higher Today

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Why O'Reilly Automotive Stock Raced Higher Today

Key Points O'Reilly grew sales and earnings per share by 6% and 11%, respectively, in the second quarter. The company now has 100 locations in Mexico. O'Reilly's new distribution center in Virginia signals a further expansion into the Northeast. 10 stocks we like better than O'Reilly Automotive › Shares of leading automotive parts retailer O'Reilly Automotive (NASDAQ: ORLY) rose 4% as of 2 p.m. E.T. Thursday, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. O'Reilly reported second-quarter earnings yesterday that saw earnings per share surpass expectations, while sales just missed the mark. However, management raised same-store sales growth guidance from 3% to 3.75% at the midpoint for 2025, prompting a positive market reaction. O'Reilly's 6,483 stores (and counting) O'Reilly continues to prove that it is one of the best compounders available on the market, growing sales and earnings per share by 6% and 11%, respectively, in Q2. While it is no longer a hypergrowth stock, O'Reilly still offers investors a promising growth story, even with its current total of 6,483 stores. So far, in 2025, the company has opened 105 new stores across 34 U.S. states and Mexico. Now 100 stores strong in Mexico (up from 69 this time last year), O'Reilly is launching full speed ahead in the region. With the average vehicle in Mexico nearly four years older than its U.S. counterparts, growth in the country could prove particularly profitable for O'Reilly. While these international expansion plans are intriguing, the company still has ample room for growth domestically as well. For instance, O'Reilly opened a new distribution center in Stafford, Virginia, which gives it the potential to add 350 stores in the region. With no stores in Delaware and New Jersey -- and only 48 in Pennsylvania, 47 in New York, and three in Maryland (as of 2024) -- the company has immense potential to continue expanding in the Northeast. So is O'Reilly a buy? As much as I like O'Reilly, it now trades at a lofty 36 times earnings and would be a better buy for investors willing to hold for a decade or beyond. Should you buy stock in O'Reilly Automotive right now? Before you buy stock in O'Reilly Automotive, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and O'Reilly Automotive wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $634,627!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,046,799!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,037% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Josh Kohn-Lindquist has positions in O'Reilly Automotive. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why O'Reilly Automotive Stock Raced Higher Today was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store