Bad news Bravo fans! In an announcement made during the Fiat Grande Punto launch, Fiat India has clarified that they would not bring the Fiat Bravo to India in the near future and that seems like pulling a cover on the Bravo speculation doing rounds in the Indian Automotive circles.
Fiat intended to rebuild its brand in the country and the launch of the Bravo was a part of their marketing strategy. Fiat always planned well. Fiat’s Indian connection started with its Premiere Padmini launched about four decades ago in India. But now it seems like Fiat who have launched their iconic new 500 mini car in India met with a cold feet amongst the car buyers thanks to the price tag it bore, Fiat India is sceptic launching the pricey Bravo in India.
Fiat states that there is clearly a lack of interest for car priced above Rs. 20 lakh. So, it has deferred the launch of Bravo owing to the poor market conditions. The CEO of Fiat India Automobiles feels Indian customers are not opting for anything above the C segment. Moreover, Fiat has to upgrade its car manufacturing facility at Ranjangaon to meet the needs and specifications for producing its other international models such as the Linea and the Grande Punto. Therefore, Fiat concludes that it would be focusing on its Indian-made products.
It is really sad to know that Bravo is not coming to India. But offlate the launch news of Bravo was very strongly presented.Wonder why there was a sudden change in the decision. Fiat 500 as already mentioned in the blog was a complete faliure. Who will like to pay such an expensive price for a small car. It is shocking to know that Fiat has not studies the Indian car market well and its consumers.
Fiat's so-called success story in India is not without its pitfalls. Here is a little story I'd like to share about my new Fiat Linea. We purchased the car against the tide, against repeated suggestions from friends and peers about not-so-good reputation of Fiat cars.Our Fiat Linea broke down near Bahadurgarh, Haryana on 21/7/09 at 8 pm. Engine wouldn't start. The call to Tata-Fiat's so-called 24 hour customer care was a nightmare. We were stalled by all sorts of meaningless questions such as color of the car. After a long wait in the middle of nowhere, we were assured that help was on its way, but it never came. At around 9.30 pm we were curtly asked to make our own arrangements to tow the car away from the site of breakdown. The fact that it was next to impossible to find a towing vehicle so late at night need not be stated twice. Nevertheless, at great inconvenience, the car was towed back to the house. A technician was supposed to arrive next morning to take the car to the workshop. The nightmare didn't end next morning. Each call to Tata-Fiat's call center was treated like a fresh complaint, at it was almost 11 am when some concrete information filtered through. Although they boast of nationwide coverage, the nearest Tata-Fiat workshop, Him Motors (Pira-Garhi, Delhi), refused to tow the car away from Bahadurgarh even though it was a mere 15 km away. We were told half-baked stories about inability to tow across the border and so on, even when I had to foot the bill. Somewhere late in the afternoon, 6 hours after the promised pick-up time, we were once again asked to make our arrangements to drag the car to Delhi-Haryana border and it would be picked up from there. Such a meritoriously ridiculous suggestion made me reconsider the high esteem I held Fiat Motors in. But with no alternative, I had to, once again, tow the car about 5 km to Delhi-Haryana border. The car is in servicing now, and Fiat's after sales response reputation has dropped significantly in my books.And what's worse – its nearly impossible to easily find Fiat's customer care email on their websites. The customer care link on Fiat India's website is dead.
It is good to see this place is finally getting the attention it totally deserves! Keep up the good work.