While Fiat prepares to relaunch its iconic Multipla in Europe, few realize a near-identical version thrived in China for years. The Zotye Multiplan not only copied the design but also offered electric and plug-in hybrid options with battery swapping.
In China, the Fiat Multipla never really vanished. Its shape, instantly recognizable and often debated, kept rolling on Chinese roads under a new name: Zotye Multiplan.
Most drivers in Europe have never seen it. For almost twenty years, a Chinese Multipla lookalike was not just on sale—it kept evolving. Zotye got a license from Fiat and barely changed the car. The six-seat layout stayed. The oddball design stayed. Only the badges switched. Then Zotye did something Fiat never tried. They made the Multiplan electric. They even built a plug-in hybrid with batteries you could swap out in minutes. Fiat’s own Multipla never got close to that in Europe.
Fiat officially revived the Multipla name in 2026 with the Multiplay concept, which combines the utility of a pickup, the comfort of an SUV, and a flexible interior layout.
Back in 2008, Zotye signed a deal with Fiat. They got the rights to build a restyled Multipla for China. The changes? Almost none. The Multiplan looked just like the Italian original. Only the logos told them apart. Buyers could pick the classic six-seat setup—three up front, three in back—or a five-seat version. Under the hood, the Chinese Multiplan started with a 1.6-litre petrol engine making 104 horsepower. That matched the original’s modest numbers.
Zotye didn’t stop at petrol. By 2010, they rolled out a fully electric Multiplan. It made 82 horsepower and claimed a 200-kilometer range. Then came the plug-in hybrid. Its batteries could be swapped out fast, a feature Fiat never offered in Europe. This was a rare case: a European design, often mocked, finding new life and new tech far from home.
The price? That was another shock. The base Multiplan cost about 8,600 euros. The top trim was just over 11,000 euros. These prices beat most European rivals. Chinese brands built a reputation for sharp pricing, and the Multiplan fit that trend. This matches what’s happening now, as Chinese automakers push into Europe with aggressive deals. Recent reports on Chinese investment in Spain’s car industry show the same pattern.
According to independent European media, the Multiplay concept is not just a design exercise but a signal of Fiat’s intention to launch an affordable electric model for the EU market, potentially by 2028, with a target price around 15,000 euros.
The first Fiat Multipla hit the road in 1998. It was itself a throwback to the 1950s 600 Multipla, a car with three seats across the front and a boxy look. People argued about the design. Some loved its practicality. Others called it ugly. Now, Stellantis is getting ready to show the Multiplay concept at the Paris Motor Show in October. This new version promises a mix of SUV and pickup features. Details are still under wraps.
The Zotye Multiplan’s story proves something. Car icons can get a second life in places no one expects. While Fiat tries to win back Europe with a new concept, the Chinese Multiplan quietly showed how bold design and smart pricing can work together. For Europeans, the Multipla’s return might seem fresh. In China, it never really left.
