FIAT India to launch four new cars this year

Kochi: Buoyed by the response to its cars, Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Ltd (FGAIPL), the fully owned subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, will be introducing four new models by December this year, a top official today said.

"Fiat has an exciting line up of products for this year. We have already launched our brand New Linea and will soon be coming out with New Punto.

"Avventura, a contemporary utility vehicle (CUV) will be making its global debut in India. We are also launching the Abarth brand with Abarth 500," Nagesh Basavanhalli, President and Managing Director, FIAT Chrysler Automobiles India, told reporters here.

"We are very bullish with our plans this year', he said.

Asked about their outlook for the automobile industry, he said the second half of the year would be better. From January to March this year, the industry was down by 4.5 percent. It was due to sentiments of consumer sentiments who were in wait and watch mode.

In 2013 calendar year, 2.47 million passenger cars were sold across all segments in the country and fiat's share was below one percent, he said. During April-December 2013, the fiat sales was 43 percent, while from Apr last year- to march year, Fiat grew by over 80 percent.

The Abarth brand, whch is mini BMW, will be fully imported, he said, adding, the cost had not yet been decide.

Fiat today flagged off the first leg of its first of its kind K2K Passion Drive in the city. Exciting offers would be made to customers as they move across cities. A two day service camp will also be organised here, he said.

The car manufacturer has also opened 108 dealerships across the country in just 11 month and hopes to touch 150 dealerships by this year end.