FIAT loves Kartell: a creative reunion for the Grande Panda Kartell project at the Salone del Mobile 2025

• The centerpiece is the “laboratory” Fiat Grande Panda Kartell, a collaborative project between the renowned Italian design brand and FIAT Centro Stile, aimed to explore and engage the audience’s reactions.
• The FIAT-Kartell partnership drives continuous innovation, encouraging both brands to explore new and groundbreaking ideas.
• FIAT and Kartell’s unique project opens the way to multiple possible material contaminations involving advanced materials and processes.

FIAT Grande Panda Kartell takes center stage at the Salone del Mobile in Milan from April 8^th to 13^th, hosted at Kartell’s stand. This exhibition marks a significant moment, celebrating the return of FIAT to its “home segment”, where it has long been a leader and will continue to reign with the Grande Panda. It also offers a platform to showcase the virtuous collaboration between FIAT and Kartell, highlighting the successful fusion of two complementary worlds.

"I’m so delighted for this collaboration! Kartell exemplifies Italian excellence in sustainable, iconic design and shares the same values as FIAT.” Commented Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and Global Stellantis CMO - “Working together drives a culture of continuous innovation, empowering both brands to push boundaries and explore new ideas confidently. This approach leads to the creation of unique and groundbreaking concepts that elevate the use of sustainable materials and design elements. The partnership has also the aim of exploring the reaction and appreciation of a new audience in a context different from the automotive sector." Concluded Francois.

“Looking to the Future is our mission”, said Claudio Luti, President of Kartell. “It is an attitude that lies at the heart of who we are. Looking to the future means approaching each day with the drive to take action, to do better, and to create emotion and beauty. This is the spirit behind our partnership with Fiat: a creative workshop centred on the Grande Panda Kartell, shaped by ongoing dialogue between designers and engineers, and by the shared values and longstanding ties between our two brands. I am delighted to present this project at the Kartell stand at the Salone del Mobile, the ideal setting for the finest ideas and the most forward-looking designs driven by innovation. There is no better place than the Salone, at a stand shaped by design thinking, to reveal a project two years in the making, now in its final stages thanks to a renewed partnership with Fiat”.

The ongoing collaboration strengthens the long-established relationship, which dates back to the 1950s when Kartell designed the iconic ski rack for the first generation of the Fiat 500. The bond has evolved over time with projects such as the one-off Fiat 500e Kartell, designed together with Centro Stile in 2020. Today, this creative workshop continues the legacy with the Fiat Grande Panda Kartell.

The work-in-progress Fiat Grande Panda Kartell is the star of the stand, embodying the values and stylistic features of both brands, this new project focuses on the contamination of ideas and materials in both industries. FIAT introduces automotive language into the realm of design, while Kartell elevates design as a key component of the driving experience.

The collaboration has led to the world premiere of Grande Panda Kartell in a unique setting curated by Ferruccio Laviani, who masterfully played with shades of red, in collaboration with the Centro Stile FIAT, creating an immersive space where catalog products, design prototypes, and restyling of some masterpieces are displayed.

Fiat Grande Panda Kartell
The project stands out for its distinctive design features, including the livery in a vibrant red that conveys energy and passion while claiming Kartell’s visual identity. To attain a bold and eye-catching visual effect, the vehicle features contrasting color blocks with the red shade of the exteriors and the exclusive Tasmania Blue of the interiors. The combination of the two creates a sophisticated pop effect and reflects the meticulous attention to detail.

Kartell’s logo symbolizes the Love brand and becomes a central decorative feature, as it is found on several strategic spots, such as on the wheels, the rear, and the third pillar. On the inside, the passenger cabin presents a playful use of the branding: the thermo-embossed "kk" monogram provides a three-dimensional effect and features all the upholstery. The latter is crafted from cutting-edge fabrics, such as Pop mélange canvas, adding a touch of modernity and style while maintaining a cozy and warm environment for the passengers. Additionally, to add a touch of fun and surprise, the vehicle hides a special easter egg for the more curious and observant guests: the iconic Kartell’s lamp is found on the cluster to exalt the transparency of the materials and insert a distinctive design element to the interior.

The Fiat Grande Panda Kartell workshop is a way to go beyond reality and a project open to multiple possible contaminations of materials. Indeed, one of the interior potential features is Polycarbonate 2.0, a second-generation polymer derived from renewable sources and known for its transparency, durability, and lightweight nature. This advanced material, a hallmark of Kartell's most iconic and sustainable products and collections, could not only enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics but also reflect the two brands’ commitment to innovation and sustainability.

The contamination could also be extended in terms of sustainability between automotive and product design industries, which share a common production supply chain. In particular, a specific “tex to tex” process could be included in the project: the textile clothing scraps from the Foliage armchair are reduced into scrap fibers and then re-spun into a 100% renewed polyester yarn. The achievable result is a seat cover with a central canvas made of 60% recycled polyester fabric. This process ideally not only reduces waste but also transforms scraps into high-quality materials, contributing to a circular and sustainable economy.

Turin, April 8^th, 2025