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Italian automotive major Fiat is all set to unveil by year-end its first of the nine models it plans to launch in India within three years.
It is gearing up to introduce couple of variants of existing models during the upcoming festival season.
Fiat is working on a three-pronged strategy to turn India into the next major market. These include network development, brand building and product strategy.
“We are a major player in North and South Americas, and Europe, and expect to make India the next important market. Therefore, we plan to launch nine models over the next three years, with the first one before year-end,” said Nagesh Basavanhalli, President and Managing Director of Indian operations of Fiat and Chrysler.
Keen on SUV
Speaking to reporters after the launch of a new showroom here, Nagesh said the company will be present in B, C, the latter in both high and low segments, sports utility vehicles through both Fiat and Chrysler brands. The SUV segment continues to grow at a healthy pace in India, and the company will look at rolling out models including the globally popular Jeep brands.
Without getting into the specific model to be unveiled, Nagesh said Fiat is working on several models simultaneously.
Localisation
As someone associated with the Fiat’s R&D centre in India, he explained the new models will have high localisation. The 1,000-plus strong research team in Chennai is working on localisation of several models with teams based in Turin and other research centres. Set up in 2007, the centre has played an important role in localisation of Punto and Linea range, which now have around 90 per cent localisation, he explained.
The Fiat Group has invested over Rs 4,000 crore in setting up its manufacturing plant for cars and engines in India. It has the capacity to manufacture two lakh cars and three lakh engines a year. About 60 per cent of the small car diesel engines sold in India are based on the Fiat technology.
The company now has network of 75 dealerships and expects to cross 100 by year-end. “By offering service at the doorstep of the customer, we will make a difference to the overall ownership experience,” he said.
>rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in
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