Demand for the hot-selling Fiat 500 is by far outstripping supply, prompting Fiat to consider plans to further expand the Polish site with an investment of one billion zlotys (274.5 million euros). Photo: Samar.

Demand for the hot-selling Fiat 500 is by far outstripping supply, prompting the company to consider plans to further expand the Polish site, reports Polish automotive news agency Samar. "In 2007, the investment volume will hit a billion zlotys [274.5 million euros]. And the following year will see investments of a similar size,” says Enrico Pavoni, head of Fiat Auto Poland.
 
With the Ford Ka successor set to enter production in 2008, Fiat's Polish plant is being expanded, with work underway to upgrade the body shop, launch a new paint shop and additional warehouse space. It is expected that the site will supply 120,000 units of the new Ka a year.
 
"In 2009, Tychy will make roughly 500,000 cars combined on an annual basis. It will be the biggest and most advanced vehicle plant is this part of Europe,” adds Enrico Pavoni.

Meanwhile on October 31, Wojciech Halarewicz stepped down as sales chief of Fiat Auto Poland after 11 years with the company. Offering its thanks to Wojciech Halarewicz for his commitment over the years, Fiat Auto Poland has appointed Enrico Pavoni, currently its board chairman, as the interim sales director until a further announcement is made.