Fiat refreshes Team Ireland fleet with new Grande Panda
Fiat Ireland has refreshed the Team Ireland fleet with the all-new Grande Panda, swapping out the current fleet of Fiat 600s as part of its role as official vehicle partner to the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI).
The handover took place at Team Ireland HQ which is located in the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown, the same venue used for the official Irish launch of the Grande Panda to the motoring press in April, making it a fitting setting for the next chapter of the partnership.
left to right: Peter Sherrard (CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland), Sarah Lavin (two-time Olympian), Philip Doyle (two-time Olympian and Olympic Bronze medallist), John Saunders (Managing Director at Fiat Ireland) and Thomas Barr (three-time Olympian).
Team Ireland athletes Sarah Lavin, Philip Doyle and Thomas Barr were on hand to welcome the new fleet and see the Grande Panda up close ahead of getting behind the wheel.
As part of the partnership, Fiat provide Team Ireland athletes access to a dedicated fleet of cars, supporting those based in Ireland with training and events, as well as athletes living and training abroad who need a car for short trips home.
Two Fiat Professional vans complete the fleet, providing additional space whenever equipment needs to travel too.
Speaking at the handover, John Saunders, managing director of Fiat Ireland, said: “Handing the keys to this new fleet of Grande Pandas over to Team Ireland is a proud moment for us. It’s a car that’s already picking up major international awards, and to see it now supporting our athletes with training and competing on the road to Los Angeles 2028 is exactly what this partnership is about.”
The Grande Panda is available in full electric and mild hybrid variants with prices starting from €22,995 and Irish drivers can take a test drive in Fiat dealers nationwide. Since its launch, the Grande Panda has already picked up a string of industry honours, including the Red Dot Award 2025 for Product Design and ‘Best Small Car’ at the 2025 Autocar Awards.
The Fiat model range is due to expand further later this year with the arrival of the Grizzly SUV and Grizzly Fastback, with plans in place to bring these new models into the Team Ireland fleet in future.