Fiat is preparing a retro-styled Pandina Tributo Autobianchi special edition, with new spy shots showing a camouflaged prototype testing in Italy.
The move is part of a legal strategy by Stellantis to protect a historic Italian brand name.
The Pandina, the oldest model in Fiat’s lineup with roots dating back to 2011, is getting another special edition.
But this time, the motive is unusual: Stellantis wants to keep the Autobianchi trademark out of Chinese hands.
Legal Battle Over Dormant Trademarks
In December 2023, the Italian parliament passed a law allowing the state to take control of classic trademarks that have been dormant for at least five consecutive years.
By July 2024, the government had escalated a dispute with Stellantis over declining local production volumes.
Reports indicate that Italy’s Industry Ministry registered independent graphical versions of the Autobianchi and Innocenti badges at the national patents office.
The rumored goal was to seize the names and reallocate them to Chinese automakers willing to build factories in Italy.
Faced with losing its intellectual property, Stellantis is using the closing months of the legal window to release a retro edition.
By launching the Tributo Autobianchi, the company resets the statutory clock, keeping the trademark under its control.
What the Tributo Autobianchi Offers
The prototype is based on the Pandina Cross trim, featuring chunkier bumpers, relocated fog lights, and plastic cladding.
Earlier sightings revealed a prominent Autobianchi emblem on the side moldings.
Mild visual tweaks are expected, nodding to classic models like the Autobianchi A112 and Y10, likely limited to trim pieces.
The camouflaged wheels hint at a unique design, possibly paired with a vintage beige-brown body color.
Inside, the special edition will get retro seat materials and nostalgic badging.
Under the hood, it retains the 1.0-liter three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine producing 69 hp, paired with a six-speed manual transmission.
Autobianchi was founded in 1955 as a joint venture between Fiat, Pirelli, and Bianchi. Its A112 hatchback sold over 1.2 million units between 1969 and 1986.
The brand was phased out in 1995, with the Y10 giving way to the Lancia Ypsilon.
Stellantis is expected to unveil the Fiat Pandina Tributo Autobianchi in the coming months.
