In its new avatar, Fiat India on Friday said it will expand its dealerships to 110 by end of this fiscal from 54 right now. The company will also launch nine products (vehicles) in next three years.

The subsidiary of the Italian company had a joint venture with Tata Motors and, in line with the agreement, had same dealers for selling Fiat cars and servicing of the vehicles. The JV ended in March and from April onwards, Fiat India has aligned, to sell its products alone.

“We are rebuilding the brand (since April) and lot of activities have just closed. We are now in expansion mode and brand exclusivity in future,” Nagesh Basavanahalli, President and Managing Director-Fiat Chrysler Operations (India), told reporters here.

The company will also bring in Chrysler and Abarth (from its Group companies) brands of vehicles to make its sales stronger in India. To start with, the company will launch Chrysler’s Jeep (Wrangler) over the next few months (expected in July).

The nine models to be launched in next three years will include four each models from Fiat and Chrysler, and one from Abarth, he said. While some will be completely built units (direct import), others will be manufactured at its Ranjangaon (Pune) facility, he added.

marketing

To enhance its brand in India, Fiat is taking various steps such as full-fledged marketing campaign and opening up of more Fiat Caffes. It has opened another one in Bangalore on Friday and has already one each in New Delhi and Pune.

Fiat Caffé has a mezzanine floor with a lounge at the Café bar. Customers can go through the latest Fiat India cars on display, take a test drive and browse through Fiat worldwide or Fiat India details, guided by specially-trained personnel.

> ronendrasingh.s@thehindu.co.in

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