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Monday, 29 March 2010
Car makers are looking to increase prices on the 1st of April. Fiat wants to do something different. It will wait and watch. Based on the results of other car makers in the country, Fiat will take the next step. Car manufacturers are increasing prices because of the stringent BS IV emission norms which will be implemented in 13 cities. The engines are being upgraded to meet the norms, and so, the car prices will increase. But, Fiat prefers to wait and watch. It has been a good year for Fiat. The company will be closing the fiscal year with 24,000 units. The Punto entered during the middle of the financial year and has been doing extremely well. Fiat has great plans for the coming year too. It plans to sell 48,000 units including the Punto and Linea. By June this year, the company would launch the Linea Turbo Jet with the 1.4 turbo-charged gasoline engine. The other launch from Fiat would be the 90 bhp version of the Punto. It is also working on the Punto's CNG version and may roll it out by the end of this fiscal year. This version will carry a gasoline-CNG engine that automatically shifts between using liquid fuel and compressed natural gas depending on requirement. There are greater plans. With inputs from Tata Motors, a new compact car specifically for the Indian market is being developed. The unveiling would take around two years though. Fiat has always been producing small cars and the 50:50 joint venture with Tata may also prove successful. Any guesses about the car’s price? Well, it is likely to be priced in the Rs 3-3.5 lakh range. Fiat wants to make no compromise on quality. Features like safety, storage, emission control, entertainment and high performance may be borrowed from the Fiat 500 which is sold as a completely built unit in India. With a price-tag of nearly Rs 15 lakh the two-door Fiat 500 has sold 64 units since its launch in 2008. This new small car, coming out in 2012, will be produced at the company’s Ranjangaon plant. The plant has a capacity of 160,000 cars and 350,000 engines, besides 300,000 parts and accessories. As of now, the facility makes the Palio Stile 1.1, 1.6 models, Linea and the Grande Punto. The facility also manufactures Fiat's booming 1.3 litre Multijet Diesel Engines and 1.2 and 1.4 litre Fire Gasoline engines. The plant will also produce Tata passenger and next generation cars. The 1.2 litre Grande Punto has been priced at a range of Rs 4.57 lakh to Rs 4.87 lakh which is pretty decent. The idea is to offer more feature at a lower price. Position-wise, it wants to move higher in the B plus segment of cars. Fiat wants to fight it out with competitors like the Hyundai i20, Suzuki Swift and VW Polo. The current version of the Punto itself does monthly numbers of around 1,500 units. So naturally, the new variants could help numbers get closer to the 2,500-unit mark, won’t it? By this time next year, Fiat wants to roll out over 60,000 cars from the Ranjangaon plant. If the new small car is launched by the end of next year, it will help a lot in achieving this target. The Fiat 1.2 Fire Dynamic and Fiat Fire Emotion have just been launched in the hatchback segment in Chandigarh. Fial, which currently has 103 Tata-Fial dealers in India, is looking to ramp up to 124 dealers by June this year. As for the Ranjangaon facility, Fiat plans to use it as a key global car hub eventually. Labels: Fial, Fiat, Fiat-and-Tata, Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea, Grande-Punto, Linea, New-Fiat-Car, New-Linea, Punto, Ranjangaon-Facility
Thursday, 18 March 2010
After having a grandly successful year with Linea and Grande Punto, Fiat is trying to push its luck further. Fiat has launched two brand new variants of Punto in the petrol hatchback segment -1.2 litre Fire Dynamic and Emotion. And the most interesting things about these new launches are the very competitive pricing and the new features that come packed in the new variants of the oh-so-admirable Punto. The Punto Fire comes with an impressive range of features that include tilt steering, front power windows, fire prevention system and programmed service reminder in its entry level 1.2 Active variant. The 1.2 Dynamic will offer rear power windows and central locking system. And as if these things were not enough to pull the crowd to the showrooms, Fiat, as an introductory offer, is giving away music system in the 1.2 Dynamic. Punto 1.2 Emotion variant will come with an integrated music system, fog lamps, electric mirrors, dual tone dashboard and split seats. As an introductory offer, Fiat is also giving away music system in the 1.2 Dynamic. Meanwhile, the 1.2 Emotion variant will come an integrated music system, fog lamps, electric mirrors, dual tone dashboard and split seats. The exterior styling and looks of Punto has been so different, in a way that we like, from the other cars in the segment. While the others look rather like oversized women who would not go to the gym, Punto oozes raw beauty and appeal. It is a common knowledge that automobile industry in India is growing at a tremendous pace and the small car segment, with 60% of car sales, is fuelling the growth. Fiat, so far, has had about 5.5 per cent of the market share and it is looking to double the sales figure with more variant launches in the coming months. Punto Sports is another variant which will be launched during the second half of this year. When talking about Fiat’s efforts to raise the standard of sales figure, we cannot ignore the new Linea 1.4 T-Jet, which is set to make its debut during August – September 2010. When launched, Linea T-Jet will be the only one its segment to have turbocharged petrol engine. Labels: Fiat, Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea, Fiat-Punto, Grande-Punto, Linea-T-Jet, Punto-Fire, Punto-Fire-Dynamic, Punto-Fire-Emotion, PuntO-Sports
Thursday, 18 February 2010
 Fiat India which is in India on its second outing has truly swept the Indian car market of its feet, thanks to the launch of the generation next models of Linea and Punto. Fiat India has been associated with the Indian car market ever since the advent of the Premier Padmini days. But now Fiat India has come out in open with all guns blazing. Fiat Linea and Punto changed the landscape for Fiat India fortunes in India. But now Fiat has changed its strategy for India and sees Indian market as a cash cow and wants to get the best out of the market and therefore Fiat India though had launched the Fiat Linea about a year back has come out again with a new powerful engine called the T-Jet. The Fiat Linea T-Jet was launched during the just concluded 10th Auto Expo 2010 held at New Delhi. Fiat India by launching this variant silenced the critics who had always maintained the underpoweredness of the Fiat Linea. For those who admire Fiat Linea certainly would vouch on the T-Jet. Fiat Linea T-Jet has a 1.4 liter T-Jet Turbo charged engine which can produce the outstanding power output of 110 bhp and can generate a torque of 200 NM. Fiat Linea also will be available with a new colour shade in blue which makes the car just blue blooded. Though nothing has been changed drastically in the car appearance front Fiat Linea T-Jet surely showcases an Italian look which has been seen in Fiat Punto. Fiat India always sticks by their motto of comfortable drive and that’s just what they have glorified with the Linea. The generously spacious interior of the Linea is a boon for the driver as well as the passengers. Fiat Linea T-Jet offers a pleasurable driving experience with its position of pedals, designing of arm rest, footrest and steering wheel alignment. The much praised “Blue&Me” system which is based on Windows Mobile Technology has been installed in this car. Five passengers may sit inside this car quite comfortably. For the safety of the passengers parking sensors, fog lamps, ABS, EBD, two airbags and rear seat belts are present in this car. The AC is offered in this car along with climate control function. Fiat has kept the comfort and safety in mind while designing this car. Fiat Linea T-Jet is certainly the more powerful version of Fiat Linea. At around 9 Lakhs INR, this car offers a great deal. Labels: 10th-Auto-Expo, Fiat-Engine, Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea-T-Jet, Fiat-Punto, Premier-Padmini
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Fiat India has been doing their homework well since their second outing in the Indian Car market. It’s a known fact that the first outing of Fiat was disastrous and left a sour taste in the hearts and minds of Indian people. This time Fiat has got the equation just right and has come out in the Indian car market like never before. They have launched three trend setting models in India in 2008-09 while they already had their Palio holding ground for them in India while they had left India momentarily. Fiat India brought out their popular models like hatchback Punto, sedan Linea and premium luxury small car Fiat 500 tying up with Tata Motors. But in order to further explore the Indian car market, Fiat India has come out with new variants of the Linea and Punto at the just culminated Auto Expo 2010. Fiat also unveiled three Punto variants during the Expo named Punto Sports, Punto CNG and Punto Trendz. Fiat Punto Sports gets its power from the 1.3L Multijet Diesel engine which produced a healthy 90 bhp and has a property of variable geometry turbo charger. The maximum torque produced by this engine is 205 Nm. The Sports edition seems to be a nice concept and is it is the livery that it carries that deserves all attention apart from the engine. Punto Sports is priced at Rs 6.5 lakhs and will be competing against the likes of Maruti Swift and Ritz, Ford Figo, Toyota Etios, Volkswagen polo and Skoda Fabia. Fiat Punto Trendz is a interesting display in the Fiat stands at the Auto Expo. Fiat Punto Trendz sports a Limited Edition 1.2-L FIRE petrol engine and comes with a CD/FM/MP3 version and it is one of the latest updates which are available from the manufacturer. Fiat Punto Trendz is a limited edition car that might be priced on the higher side and the level of decals attached is absolutely mind-blowing. Fiat Punto CNG also was displayed at the Auto Expo 2010 in the Fiat stands. It has now become a common amongst the car manufactures to come out with vehicles fitted with flexi-fuel optioned engines. Fiat India to tap this market has come out with their Fiat Punto CNG flexi fuel vehicle. This car can run both in CNG and petrol. Punto CNG uses a 1172 cc FIRE engine with a CNG kit which generates 68 bhp and will be pitted against the Maruti Suzuki WagonR Duo. Fiat India has priced Punto CNG Rs 5 lakh( ex-showroom-Mumbai). Labels: Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea, Fiat-Punto, Punto-CNG, PuntO-Sports, Punto-Trendz, Tata-Motors
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
If the sources are to be believed, Fiat India could come out with a hybrid car in India by 2010 end or early 2011 other than the India-specific small car. If the news comes right from the horses’ mouth, we all have every reason to believe it. Rajeev Kapoor, President and CEO of Fiat India said that the hybrid car certainly will be powered by CNG and petrol and also mentioned that Fiat India was also working on an India-specific car but he refused to give out more details. He was speaking to reporters at the ongoing Auto Expo held in New Delhi. Fiat is very optimistic on doubling the sales of its existing models and will be introducing more variants of existing models, but denied any launches of new cars in India. Rajeev Kapoor maintained that "Other than the variants launched today, we will not introduce any new models per se". He also mentioned that Fiat planned to sell about 46,000 units doubling last year’s 23,000 vehicles which were sold. He was quite optimistic that Fiat’s models Grande Punto and Fiat 500 could not pick up sales last year as the models were launched in the end of 2009 but 2010 would be a successful year for them. The company Wednesday unveiled the diesel version of Fiat 500, three variants of Grande Punto and two of the Linea model. Labels: Auto-Expo, Fiat-500, Fiat-Grande-Punto, Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Fiat India plans to launch its first compressed natural gas (CNG-run car for the domestic market in the April-June quarter of 2010. Though Fiat India has been tight lipped on the models it plans to come out with CNG, we are quite sure that Fiat Grande Punto is being seriously considered for the role and Punto would have a fuel mix comprising of CNG and petrol. CNG is ultimately going to be a fuel for most commercial applications, Fiat officials opine, explaining the rationale behind the move. Though Fiat has LPG models in its kitty, they clearly stand by CNG as it is a less expensive fuel option of the duo and the better fuel of the two. This clearly sends across the message that Fiat is not lagging behind when it comes to vehicles running on more viable fuel options. FIAL is a 50:50 joint venture between Fiat Group Automobiles SpA and Tata Motors. Incorporated in 1997, the company has its production unit located in Ranjangaon in Pune, Maharashtra. The unit has a capacity of two lakh cars, three lakh engines and an equivalent number of parts and accessories. Apart from Fiat cars, the facility will produce Tata passenger and next generation cars with an investment exceeding 650 million euro. Apart from this, Fiat India also seems to busy in developing a India-Specific small car in Turin, Italy, that would be positioned between the A and the B segment and will be launched in 2011. Labels: CNG-cars-India, Fiat-Grande-Punto, Fiat-India, Small-Car, Tata-Motors
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
 Fiat India, it seems like, has been doing its home work pretty well. Fiat India playing its second innings in India now by trying to build the brand and reliable and stylish cars has its eyes set on the Palio. Fait Palio which was one of the first models of Fiat after its short lived Indian outing earlier will get yet another facelift to make it appealing amongst the car enthusiast in India. Fiat will relaunch the Palio hatchback in the upcoming 2010 Delhi Auto Expo. The new model of the Palio is already in the markets of Brazil. The new Palio will come with a new heart, possibly with a BS-IV compliant 1.2-litre engine borrowed from the Grande Punto. The new Palio will come with a revamped interior and refreshed styling. The car was designed as a world car, aimed at countries like Brazil, Argentina, India, Turkey, South Africa and China. It is also built under license in North Korea as the Pyonghwa Hwiparam. The Palio ventured into the Brazilian market in 1996 and followed later that year in Argentina. 1997 saw production starting in Venezuela, Poland and Morocco while Turkey started building the same car in 1998. South Africa began production in 1999, Egypt in 2001 and China in 2002. The Fiat Palio has been awarded the Indian Car of the Year 2002. The car was a hit when it made its India debut in 2001. But the car is now dying a slow death mainly because of high fuel consumption and the pricing. So, this time Fiat India will be attaching a very competitive price for the Palio. The hatchback may come with a price tag of Rs 3.5 Lakh for the base model. Labels: 2010-Delhi-Auto-Expo, Fiat, Fiat-India, Fiat-Palio, Grande-Punto
Thursday, 22 October 2009
It was just yesterday that we had blogged on Fiat Linea due to be launched in India with a more powerful 1.9 L engine to give enough bang for the customer’s bucks. It seems like Fiat is working its charm on the Indian mass in stages. Just when we thought Punto was out of the picture, we get this report of an upgraded engined Punto being tested in Brazil. But this time Fiat Punto has made sure that Brazil gets another variant. Punto 1.4ELX is now available with two optional kits, termed as Punto Creative I and Punto Creative II. Meanwhile Autossegredos, a Brazilian automobile blogger reports Fiat is testing a 1.6 16V Flex engine in Punto. Both the news is equally exciting and can really contribute a lot of momentum to Punto’s successful journey in coming days. Fiat Punto Creative I is Punto 1.4ELX with factory fitted accessories like MP3 CD radio, electric rear panel, knife type key, alloy wheels, rear spoiler and creative stickers in the columns of the front doors. Punto Creative II adds Blue & Me system, operated by voice commands and includes Bluetooth, USB port in the glove and leather steering wheel with radio controls and telephones to the list. Fiat added $1,970 and $2,880 to base price of Punto 1.4ELX for Creative I and Creative II respectively. Now the second excitement, the above Punto was spotted in Brazil with a 1.6 16V Flex engine. We also anticipate the arrival of 1.4ltr 16V Flex engine in near future. Both the engines are capable to return better power (say 5bhp or more) and fuel economy. The 1.6 16V engine uses electricity for valve timing but the previous engines uses belt. The Fiat Punto 1.6 16V and Punto 1.4 16V will hit market by next quarter, let us wait and see Fiat India is planning this upgrades to our market too! Labels: Fiat-Grande-Punto, Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea, Multi-jet engines
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
 Fiat’s stylish sedan Fiat Linea has long suffered from underpowered engines since its inception here in India. Fiat Linea currently runs on a 1.3L diesel and 1.4L petrol that lacks the punch. The owners of the car certainly feel that they haven’t got their share of power for their money with the Linea. The guys in Fiat finally have taken the complaints and grumblings quite seriously and are all set to launch a series of powerful engines by next year in the upcoming 2010 Delhi Auto Expo. Fiat’s sedan Linea and hatchback Grande Punto is of much importance to the Fiat India’s Indian presence as these two models have given tremendous sales figures. Now Fiat India would not want to give their customers a great car with underpowered engines, which takes the josh out of motoring and dwindles the size of their coffers due to poor sales. Fiat India therefore might as well showcase powerful 1.6L or the 1.9L diesel engines for the gracious Linea. If launched in India, the 1.9L diesel engine will come with two configurations that might be 8 valves and 16 valves. These two engines would have four different power outputs that would generate 100PS, 120PS, 130PS and 150PS. Labels: Fiat-Grande-Punto, Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea, Hatchbacks-in-India, Sedan
Monday, 12 October 2009
The other day we were talking about the silver car colour mania. Indians also are swept off their feet by this colour. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India have affirmed that the market for them is for whites, silver and other subtle colours. These two Indian car majors have said that 50 per cent of the total sales of the industry are still for the all-time favourites, while red stands at 11-13 per cent. For Maruti, it is all about silver, golden and white. Even Honda says that almost 50 per cent of its sales are off-white and silver. The red colour signifies premium and prosperity and is winning hearts of the Indian car buyers. It is such a hit that car makers are finding it difficult to meet the delivery dates for red coloured car. Almost 50 per cent of the orders for the new Skoda Superb are for Rosso Brunello which is a shade of the colour red. And Skoda Auto India is gearing up to meet the huge demand for that colour. The Czech car company is also seeing an increasing demand for black, which till recently was not really preferred by Indians. Indian car customers symbolize colour with different things. The colour white signifies power, black is considered as ‘evil’ and red as prosperity. Chocolate and blue colours are some of the contemporary car colours. Moreover, the choice for bright colours can be attributed with the age of car buyers. It is a general belief that the young crowd prefers brighter colours. While, most feel what sells is what is shown in the advertisements. A large number of the car ads feature bright colour cars. For example, the cars in the ads of Fiat Linea and Grande Punto, Skoda Superb and Honda Jazz come in red. And it has to be mentioned here that that the maximum sales of Linea are for red, courtesy the advertisement showcasing Linea in Flamenco Red, wine red for Fiat India. Labels: Car-Colours, Fiat-India, Fiat-Linea, Honda-Jazz, Hyundai, Maruti-Suzuki
Friday, 19 June 2009
With the launch of its Grande Punto and other successful models like Linea and Palio Stile, Fiat is planning to get a firm hold of the Indian automotive space by introducing more new models in India. The Italian giant, realizing the India's obsession for small cars, is all set to do its bit to the Indian auto market by developing a car with an engine capacity of 600 cc. Fiat, which has a market share of about 10 percent in India, is planning to introduce micro cars in its portfolio. Details and specifications of the micro car is still in wraps. It seems like Fiat is borrowing a cue from Tata Motors, after all it was Tata who realized the huge potential of micro cars in India with their Nano. Now with Fiat's plan to lay seize on the Tata Nano market, is TATA OK (pun intended) with that. Thank you, Tata, for guiding the Italians in the right path!!! Labels: Cheapest-Car, Fiat-India, Tata-Nano
Thursday, 18 June 2009
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. Labels: Fiat-Bravo, Fiat-India, New-Cars-Launch
Monday, 19 January 2009
Low-cost car are the latest hum in the Indian car market amid rising air pollution, traffic congestion, and fuel prices. Mobility has been redefined by Indian populace from the fuel guzzling SUVs to fuel efficient small cars. Small cars being economical and safe meet all the needs and demands of car buyers. Seeing the wind of change in the market, many car manufacturers are walking along with the new trend carrying the conscience of small concept. Following the suit, Fiat has also announced its plan to introduce a global low-cost car by 2010 and for this project India would be one of the key hubs for providing car components to the company. The brand will tap the experience of its Indian partner, Tata Motors, to get a clear picture of the kind of effort it needs to put in for establishing this venture. Tata Motors being the manufacturer of world’s cheapest car may help Fiat for implementation of this plan. It is believed that the low-cost car will be rolled out of the Tata-Fiat's Ranjangaon plant near Pune with all localized auto components. After the launch of its scintillating mid-sized car the Linea, Fiat has made a perfect decision by planning a low-cost car in the cost cognisant and green era. This new car will further help the company to get a better hold of the Indian car market. Labels: Fiat-India, Indian-car-market, Small-Cars
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
 Fiat India is one of the oldest car manufacturers in India. The company made its first debut in the country with its old warehouse, Fiat Padmini. With the advent of innovative and high-end cars, the Padmini was phased out from the Indian car industry. Thereafter, the industry lost the footprints of the company. Though the Padmini was chucked out, Fiat never lost its desire to enter the promising car industry. With this burning desire, Fiat re-entered India with Fiat Uno. This car was not a big hit in the industry. Fiat then decided to launch a more car with better performance and improved drivability. With this came Fiat Palio, one of the most successful running cars on Indian roads. After Palio, Fiat entered the Indian market with its iconic brand, Fiat 500. This new car is considered to be a little mouse on the Indian roads. A two-door car is currently winning accolades across the country. Fiat is now feeling strong, powerful and delighted on the back of 500’s success. Now, following the success of 500, the Italian car manufacturer, is planning to bring Fiat Dino, a two-seater roadster. It’s still a speculation but today or tomorrow, Fiat is definitely going to bring all its successful cars to India. The launch of Fiat Linea and Grand Punto is also in the waiting list. Will Fiat regain the lost foothold after launching successful cars in the Indian market? Labels: Fiat-500, Fiat-India, Fiat-Padmini, Fiat-Palio-Stile, Fiat-Uno
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