Lancia has been in total decline for the last ten years. The brand was completely neglected with only one model in the catalogue today, sold only in Italy. Since it was bought by the Stellantis group, it seems to have a bright future, being placed on a par with Alfa Romeo and DS Automobiles as the top brand in the group.
However, starting from scratch to erase the mistakes of the past takes time, a lot of time. So, despite its great age, the Lancia Ypsilon launched in 2011 will benefit from one last facelift before it is finally handed over in 2024. This will mark the beginning of a new era in which Lancia will develop modern electric vehicles that can finally rival the competition.
For the moment, a minor facelift is being prepared for 2023. Externally, the changes should be minimal in order to keep costs to a minimum. New customisation options such as new colours and wheels could appear. Modifications involving technical changes such as redesigned bumpers or revised lights will not be in the cards.
On the other hand, Lancia should make some changes inside to give the Ypsilon a fresh look. After all, the Italian city car has a completely outdated look. The central instrumentation is entirely analogue with a small monochromatic trip computer. The infotainment system is also far behind what is available today.
These small changes will allow the Ypsilon to face its final year on the market with confidence. The new model will be entirely new and will be sold initially in Europe before possibly being marketed in other markets. Lancia will follow up with a new Delta, followed by a small SUV and a large sedan that will revive the brand’s prestigious past. The manufacturer will also sell its new vehicles online to reduce costs.
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Electrification seems to be the way for many brands to be revived. Automotive giants can hedge their bets by having multiple brands focusing on different segments of the market. Let’s see what plays out in the long run.