Source: Lancia
Historic Italian car manufacturer Lancia is reportedly eyeing an electric return to Australia as part of its long-term international growth plans.
In a recent interview with Automotive News Europe, chief executive officer Luca Napolitano said Lancia, one of 14 brands that make up the newly formed Stellantis – along with the likes of Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall, and Opel – would use the merger as an opportunity to direct its brands towards an electric future.
Originally founded in 1906, Lancia was well known for its world rally titles and iconic cars such as the Delta. But the company has faded into the background, causing some analysts to predict that it would be axed.
But with strong support from its parent company, Lancia is setting out on a 10-year plan to relaunch Lancia based on three new models – the new Ypsilon in 2024 with both battery and hybrid variants, a compact electric crossover expected in 2026, and a compact electric hatchback in 2028.
“We still need to work and need to look at a benchmark … which for us is Mercedes,” Napolitano said in an interview with Automotive News Europe. “I don’t mean we want to fight against Mercedes, that would be naive, but that is an example of what we look at.”
He also raised the possibility that his company’s international expansion – and its “aggressive electrification strategy” could include Australia.
“In the coming year[s], if things go well, why not try to bring (Lancia models with) right-hand drive also in Japan, South Africa, or Australia?” he said.
First off, though, will be a focus on European countries already with huge electric vehicle demand – countries such as Germany and France, which will then be followed by other countries such as Spain, Belgium, Austria, and the Nordics. Only then will Lancia begin to look overseas.
Keyword: Lancia may re-enter Australia with new electric vehicle models