Morocco is set to play a bigger role in Fiat’s global plans. The Italian carmaker is preparing to launch two new compact SUVs, the Fiat Grizzly and Fiat Grizzly Fastback, later this year. The vehicles will first go on sale in Europe, the Middle East and Africa before reaching other markets, including Latin America.
According to industry sources, both models will be built exclusively at Stellantis’ factory in Kénitra, making Morocco the only production hub for the new vehicles.
The two SUVs will share the same technical platform but target different customers.
The Grizzly will be a traditional family SUV with a more practical and rugged design. Industry reports suggest Fiat could eventually offer a seven-seat version.
The Grizzly Fastback will have a sportier look, with a sloping roofline similar to coupe-style SUVs. Test vehicles have already been spotted on Moroccan roads.
The new models are expected to compete directly with popular vehicles such as the Dacia Duster and the recently launched Dacia Bigster. While Fiat has not announced prices, analysts believe the starting price could be around €20,000 in Europe.
Both vehicles will be built on Stellantis’ Smart Car platform, which is already used in models such as the Fiat Grande Panda, Citroën C3 and Opel Frontera.
The platform allows Fiat to offer different engine options, including petrol, mild hybrid and fully electric versions.
The Kenitra factory, which opened in 2019, currently produces the Peugeot 208 and several small electric vehicles, including the Citroën Ami, Fiat Topolino and Opel Rocks-e.
Stellantis has already announced a €300m investment to expand the site and double its production capacity to 400,000 vehicles a year. The company also plans to produce up to 50,000 electric mobility devices annually.
The arrival of the Grizzly range means the Moroccan plant will move beyond small city cars and into the production of larger, more advanced SUVs.
Morocco is already the largest producer of passenger cars in Africa. The country’s automotive sector now has a local integration rate of more than 65% and is supported by over 250 automotive suppliers.
The Grizzly project is also part of Stellantis’ wider Dare Forward 2030 strategy.
Under the plan, the group intends to launch more than 60 new vehicles and carry out at least 50 major model updates before the end of the decade.
Around 70% of Stellantis’ brand and product investment is focused on four key brands: Peugeot, Citroën, Jeep and Fiat.
