Among the models built with this feature are the Fiat Multipla, the new Fiat Panda, the Volkswagen Touran Ecofuel, the Volkswagen Caddy Ecofuel, and the Chevy Taxi.

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It is in dispute with Toyota for copying its Scion models and with Fiat for copying bits of its new Panda.

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Fiat will unveil a new version of its Panda city car Wednesday, but a slowing economy could pose risks for the company's plan to revive its manufacturing in Italy.

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The plan is to grow the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands globally and flesh out the Jeep lineup, including the addition of a new small SUV, while limiting the Fiat brand to derivatives of its 500 and Panda small cars and scaling back its struggling Lancia brand.

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But his biggest stroke of luck was that even before his arrival, Fiat had once again started to make cars that people wanted to buy, such as the new Panda in 2003 and the Grande Punto in 2005.

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