Courtesy of FIAT

So far in 2009 Polish plant of Fiat in Tychy has already manufactured 500,000 cars, which is more than for the whole of 2008.

"We shall certainly exceed 600,000 units," said Zdzisław Arlet, director of Fiat Auto Poland in Tychy.

This result was chiefly possible thanks to the Panda model, which is produced for the seventh year in a row. "The decision [on manufacturing a new version of the Panda] will be taken within the next few months. Our plant is very professional and modern. We have high odds of winning," said Zdzisław Arlet.

Experts believe that the chances of the Polish plant securing this contract are very high, but they are not as optimistic when it come to general car sales in 2010. "As subsidies come to an end in numerous countries, Fiat will find it hard to keep up this year's level of output," said Andrzej Władyka, supervisory board member of Pol-Orsa, one of the suppliers of the facility in Tychy.

Source: Puls Biznesu