Alessi Panda
2004
Fiat – Alessi
In answer to Fiat's request for a car in the same spirit as the products manufactured by Alessi, in other words, characterized by colour and aimed at young consumers, especially women, the first thing that came to the designer's mind was a range of fresh new colours never before used for this type of product: bold orange and green that wouldn't pass unnoticed. Even the black version is only seemingly more rigorous, as it comes with on interior in bold, bright colours, and a white propylene band running all along the lower part that turns it into a two-tone car. For a bit of nostalgia, the hubcaps and white-walled tyres are reminiscent of cars from the past.
A luminous antenna warns, as if there were any need to, that the car is passing by in the street. The interiors are also enriched with unique new elements as compared with the originai car: transparent coloured film that filters the light coming in through the back window and a small blackboard to take notes on, as well as some functional features, such as the CD-caddy in the middle of the car and a new, more practical system that allows the seats to be lowered to create a flat surface for heavy luggage. While respecting the Panda's general concept, Giovannoni's work turns the Alessi Panda into an object that is strongly independent, with carefully studied details that make it especially appealing and communicative.
