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Fiat Palio, the classic loved by Brazilians, was purchased new in 2006 by an importer hired by Shell to analyze the performance of the flex engine, an innovative technology at the time in Brazil
How did the Fiat Palio venture to Europe by ship and win over a car admirer? Check out this unusual story below. Produced in Betim, Minas Gerais, the Brazilian hatch was purchased by a German importer in 2006 and ended up forgotten in a dealership until it was discovered by a Brazilian.
The presence in Germany of the Fiat Palio, this typically Brazilian hatchback, arouses curiosity. After all, how did he end up there? Keep reading and check out this unusual story!
How did the Brazilian hatch end up in Germany?
Brazilian Fiat Palio was for sale in a Turkish store
Lucas Toledo, aged 32, born in Brasília (DF), lived most of his life in Brazil. In 2018, he moved to a small village near Nuremberg, Bavaria, in search of work opportunities. He married a German woman and was employed by DHL, a renowned delivery company.
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In his search for a new “toy”, Lucas found an advertisement for a Brazilian Fiat Palio available in the region. Although Germany is full of eccentric and coveted vehicles, the hatch from Minas Gerais caught his attention, leading him to purchase it.
“The car was parked at a Turkish dealership. The locals barely noticed, often mistaking it for a European Fiat Panda,” she revealed. Lucas made a simple offer and purchased the Latin American car for 2,3 euros (approximately R$12,4), facing some problems with the Fire engine.
This classic, loved by Brazilians, was purchased new in 2006 by an importer contracted by Shell
With the Palio now in his garage, Lucas dedicated himself to tracing the car's origins from the factory in Betim (MG). He discovered that the vehicle was purchased new in 2006 by an importer contracted by Shell at an Itavema dealership in São José dos Campos (SP). It seems that the objective of the German branch was to analyze the performance of the flex engine, an innovative technology at the time in Brazil.
Shell employees received the small hatch in Hamburg. Next to the Palio, there was a Volkswagen Gol Total Flex with the same purpose. With the documentation in order, the company began testing.
Fiat Palio remained on sale for seven years and almost became scrap
The exact purpose of the tests is unclear. After its use by Shell, the Palio was sold to a German lady who rarely used it. The car remained on sale for seven years until it was purchased by Lucas in 2023, with just 27.300 km driven (it currently has 30.000 km). “It was almost being discarded, which normally happens with national models imported here”, lamented the enthusiast.
Due to rigorous testing and a long period of inactivity, the engine required several repairs. Lucas had to rectify the head and replace gaskets and belts. Fortunately, finding parts for the Fire engine in Europe is as simple as in Brazil.
Other Brazilian cars are also successful in Europe, such as the Volkswagen Gol in Poland, Fiat Uno in Spain, Hyundai HB20 in Austria
Driven by curiosity about other Brazilian cars in Europe, Lucas investigated government agencies and stores, discovering models such as the Volkswagen Gol in Poland, Fiat Uno in Spain, Hyundai HB20 in Austria, and others. In the account @umpalionalemanha on Instagram, he shares discoveries about each car.
“There are peculiar stories. I heard about a Portuguese diplomat who was so enchanted by a Gol that he decided to take it to Europe. Importing the Saveiro to the Netherlands was so costly that the buyer regretted it. Today, the pickup is abandoned in a store,” he reported.
On the list are:
- Chevrolet Celta | Netherlands: few Chevrolet models went to Europe, where GM was represented by Opel;
- VW Gol | Poland: the best-selling hatch in Brazil is also common in Europe;
- Fiat Palio | Germany: a more modern version was also seen;
- VW Gol | Germany: a German created a square model collection;
- Hyundai HB20 | Austria: often confused with the i20, a Hyundai compact available in Europe;
- Chevrolet Corsa | Germany: the station wagon, sold by Opel in Europe, now sports customized wheels.
Palio was finally recognized at the Nürburgring, one of the sanctuaries of motorsport, by a German exotic car enthusiast
Brazilian cars are little noticed in Europe, especially in the places where they were officially sold. For example, Ukraine received batches of the Brazilian Siena more than two decades ago, and Strada units arrived in Belarus.
Lucas' Palio was finally recognized at the Nürburgring, one of the sanctuaries of motorsport, by a German exotic car enthusiast. Driving the Minas Gerais hatchback on the iconic circuit was a welcome gift from Lucas to his new friend. “I prefer not to occupy the left lane, but I still took the opportunity to watch the various machines passing by”, commented the Brazilian.
A curious detail is that the Palio's license plate features the combination FÜ-CK 66, an expletive in English. “The car was registered in Fürth, and the initial letters always identify the city. The choice of the last digits was mine,” she explained, between laughs. For those wondering if the 2006 Palio is our protagonist's only car, the answer is no. “I have an eighth generation Golf. Before, I owned an Opel Mokka.”
I'd love to know what you thought of this story. Tell us in the comments section if you have owned or currently have a Fiat Palio and your experience with the brand. Don't forget to leave 5 stars and activate CPG notifications to keep up with all the latest news from the automotive world. To the next!
