Fiat Auto Ireland says that it will be available on special order only.

Resources will in future be concentrated on marketing the Grande Punto, Panda, Sedici and the all-new Braro which will arrive here in June. Fiat will also be concentrating funds on marketing the forthcoming City 500 car which is expected to be a big seller in the small car league.

The Croma will continue to be manufactured in small numbers in right-hand drive but the UK is also taking it off the sales forecourts. It had a very short run here - about 16 months - having been launched at the end of 2005.

The Croma, a large crossover vehicle with MPV-type styling, received disappointing reviews, many on the build quality, unlike the other models in the range which have been well received.

Fiat will continue marketing the Croma in Italy. A spokesman there said it would continue in production, with some models still being manufactured in right-hand drive.