Fiat Group Automobiles SpA, a leading Italian car manufacturer is planning to launch a completely new avatar of its boxy car model Uno in India by the end of this year, reported a leading business news daily in India. Uno was initially launched in India in the year 1990 as a joint venture between Premier Automobiles Ltd (PAL) and Fiat.
It was later discontinued in the year 1996, following, the continuously lowering down sales figures in the market. Uno has already been discontinued in the domestic market of Fiat. However the company is still selling this model in countries like Brazil.
It is also been speculated, that, with the launch of new Uno in India, the company will phase-out its Palio hatchback from the market as its performance has been very sluggish in the last few months. Interestingly,Palio was launched in India as a substitute to Uno in the year 1999, and now conversely, Palio is expected to be replaced by Uno.
At present, the company has three models in its portfolio (in the Indian Market) including Fiat Palio, Fiat Grande Punto and Fiat Linea.
Source:- New avatar of Fiat Uno to be launched in India by end of 2010 - New Cars
Fiat Punto, the compact-hatchback which was launched in the Indian market in last year, is all set to be rolled-out in a next-generation version the Indian market by year 2013. The Fiat Punto model has been attarcting a large numebr of buyers in this segment with its bold looks and quality interiors.It is expected that the new 2013 Punto will be developed at a new plateform with a revemped chasis and design. The next-generation Punto model will possibly be powered with Fiat's new range of Multijet engines and technologies. The car will be equipped with all new generation safety, comfort and technological features.
Fiat Grande Punto has been launched in the Indian market as a joint venture vehicle between Fiat and Indian auto major Tata Motors. Fiat Grande Punto is one of the most popular hatchback in the global market with high performance and elegant exteriors. It was first debuted in the international market in year 2005 at at Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005 and has won many awards such as "Car of the Year 2008" award in Brazil. The Punto is available in three engine options - a 1.2L, 1172cc petrol engine, 1.4L, 1368cc, FIRE petrol engine and a 1.3L, 1248cc multijet turbo diesel engine.
Source:- Next-Generation Fiat Punto to hit Indian roads by 2013 - New Cars
Fiat India Automobiles Ltd today announced a growth of 82.2% in sales for the month of May 2010 over May 2009. Fiat India’s total sales (including exports) of FIAT branded vehicles in May 2010 stood at 2,235 as compared to 1,227 vehicles sold in May 2009.The company’s cumulative sales (including exports) for the fiscal currently stands at 4257 vehicles as against 2516 vehicles sold last year. With these impressive numbers, Fiat India has witnessed a 69.2% growth in fiscal sales for the year 2010-11 as against 2009-10.
Fiat India Automobiles Limited (FIAL) is a 50-50 Industrial Joint Venture between Fiat Group Automobiles S. p. A., (Fiat) and Tata Motors Limited (Tata) originally incorporated on January 02, 1997. The company employs about 2775 blue & white collar employees and is located at Ranjangaon in the Pune District of Maharashtra. The definitive agreement of the Joint Venture was signed in October 11, 2007. The board of directors for this company comprises of five nominees each from Fiat and Tata.
The state-of-the-art facility at Ranjangaon, which is owned by FIAL, a joint venture company, is capable of producing 200,000 cars and 300,000 engines, besides 300,000 parts & accessories. Currently manufacturing the Palio Stile 1.1, 1.6 models, Linea and now the Grande Punto. The facility also manufactures Fiat’s successful 1.3 litre Multijet diesel engines and 1.2 & 1.4 litre Fire gasoline engine. Apart from Fiat cars, the facility will also produce Tata passenger and next generation cars with investment exceeding € 650 Million. The plant provides direct and indirect employment to more than 4,000 people.
Source:- Fiat India reports sales growth of 82.2% in May 2010 - New Cars
Fiat India, a subsidiary of France based Fiat Motors, has announced that it will award the top three participants of the Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2010, with a brand new Fiat Linea model. Fiat Linea is among the most stylish entry level sedans in India with a high customer base. Miss India has always been one of the most prestigious pageants for models across the country.
The Fiat Linea, with its classy looks, makes for the perfect companion for the winners of PFMI 2010 as they represent their country on the international stage, said company in a statement.
Fiat as a brand has always been associated with style and class. Through this association with Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2010, the company is further enhancing its positioning in the Indian market. The Fiat Linea, known for its elegant and classy looks, will go a significant way in increasing the style factor of the three winners of PFMI 2010. The company is very excited to be working with a beauty pageant of such high regard and look forward to having many such associations in the future, said, Rajeev Kapoor, president & CEO, Fiat India said, while announcing the price at the occasion.
Fiat Grande Punto Sport, that was displayed at the auto Expo 2010 is ready to be launched in June 2010, company sources said. The car is targeted at youth and would sport 1.3-litre 90bhp multijet diesel engine that presently powers Fiat Linea. The car would sport some really funky and trendy features including funky electric sunroof, sporty upholstery, a rear spoiler, sport red decals, blacked-out headlamps, bigger tyres and dual colour interior leather seats.
The car would co-exist with the present range of Punto models and would be shelved at Rs. 7 lakh. Fiat India, that has huge expectations from this financial year claims that the customers would be delighted with the well thought of add-ons. The company is keen on expanding its portfolio and target to all segments of Indian customers as it would be launching Linea T-Jet in the month of September this year. The car would sport naturally aspirated 1.4 petrol and develop a healthy 120ps@5000 rpm and more impressive 206NM of torque right from 1750rpm onwards.
The existing Linea is also in pipe to get some changes and perhaps a face-lift. The company officials on confirming the launch of Fiat Grande Punto sport said that Fiat India was keen for the launch as the customers gave a tremendous response to the car when displayed at the Auto expo early this year. Along with the buyers, the dealers from the company are also pressing hard to launch the car ASAP.
Niraj Hans, head Fiat purchasing office in India commented that there is a management commitment to increase the buying of parts from India in the year 2011-14. There are speculations that the company is looking forward to source €250 million (Rs. 1,415 crore) worth of components by the year 2011, that's part of a plan to buy components worth €8.5 billion from best-cost countries, which certainly includes India.
The current line-up of Fiat India includes Fiat 500, Fiat Grande Punto, Fiat Linea, Fiat Palio Stile, Fiat Palio Stile Multijet.
The city of Pearls Hyderabad is hosting the 1st Regional Auto Expo at the Hitex Exhibition Centre. FIAL (Fiat India Automobiles Limited) displayed Fiat Linea and Fiat Punto at the show that dazzled like pearls. Fiat Linea, one of the best cars in its segment offers a foray of features and is priced in the range of Rs 6,34,526 - Rs 8,59,42. Linea comes in both Petrol and Diesel variants and is available in 5 sparkling colors.
Fiat Punto, one of the popular cars of Fiat saw the launch of two new variants called “1.2 Dynamic” and "1.2 Emotion" on March 15, 2010. This premium hatchback model Fiat Punto has been launched in the Indian market as a joint venture between Italian passenger car manufacturer Fiat and Indian auto major Tata Motors.
Auto Show south is being organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and is supported by Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) and Federation of Automobile Dealers Association of India (FADA). The show has seen a massive participation of various car brands namely Toyota, Tata Motors, Hyundai, Honda Motorcycles, General Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, BMW, Yamaha, Fiat, TVS Motors etc, all wanting to tap the potential customers in the market of South.
The government of Andhra Pradesh has scheduled various events like Torture Track by Mahindra & Mahindra, Safety Ride by Honda Motorcycles, Go-Karting by JK Tyres, Vintage Car display by Heritage Motoring Club, Painting Competition for Students by General Motors etc to attract customers of all genre.
