How the Fiat Punto’s demise marked the rise of the SUV era

The lack of a Punto replacement points to a shift in European buying habitsThe supermini was almost realised by Fiat in 1971 with its 127.
Almost, because this small, neat and peppy two-box fastback first appeared with a bootlid. A hatchback was optionally offered a year later, when the three-door Renault 5 was launched. 
These two defined the silhouette of the supermini from 1972 until now and doubtless well beyond, despite the hatchback’s losing battle with crossovers. 
The Fia