New Delhi, Oct 21: Troubled Italian car maker Fiat is preparing to drive in a new mid-sizer — Maestro — into the Indian car market early 2004. Sporting only a 1.9 litre diesel engine, the car is expected to be positioned in the Rs 5 lakh price segment and is being positioned as a volume player in the three-box car market.

The firm, sources say, is in final stages of testing the Maestro, based on its Palio platform and tipped to replace its existing mid-sizer Siena. The buzz has already ignited a distress sale among Fiat dealers for the Siena. Fiat dealers are offloading their stock of unsold Sienas at a discounted price of Rs 4.49 lakh.

Fiat India director A.M. Gupta confirmed the launch of the Maestro. “There are no plans to ring down curtains on Siena. The Maestro is aimed at diesel car buyers and Palio will cater to the petrol market." Bureau Report