Fiat Cars in India

Way back, in the year 1899, a group of investors from Italy, including the famous entrepreneur Giovanni Agnelli, founded an automobile manufacturing company called as the Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino (F.I.A.T.) societa per azioni (S.p.a.), in other words, the Italian Automobile Factory of Turin. The company was renamed later in 1906, its acronymous name getting replaced by the upper- and lower-case 'Fiat', which represents the company across the world till date. Over its long lifespan, which extends longer than a century, Fiat has acquired several other companies and entered into a number of partnerships, making its presence felt on a global level. While its acquisition list features brands like Lancia (1968), Ferrari (1969), Alfa Romeo (1986), Maserati (1993) and Chrysler (2011), the major partnerships that Fiat has been involved in can be traced to countries like Serbia, France, Turkey, India and China.

In India, Fiat began its operations in 1997, when Fiat India Automobiles Limited (FIAL) got established at Ranjangaon in the Pune district of Maharashtra on January 2. Beginning its journey in the Indian Peninsula by selling the 1100, the 124 and the Uno models, which were manufactured back then by the iconic auto-clan of Premier Automobiles Limited, Fiat formed a joint venture with the illustrious Tata camp on October 19, 2007. Today, this Italian automaker ranks at the ninth position amidst the largest car manufacturers by sales in India. Having sold 23,551 vehicles in 2009, an impressive growth of 241% was recorded by Fiat in India in comparison to its sales count of 6,897 recorded over the year before that.

In 2012, however, sales curves of Fiat cars in India slipped by a considerable amount, dropping down to a worrisome 6,000 that year from a fairly decent 16,000 recorded in 2011, in turn, shrinking the company's share in the Indian car-market to less than 1%. Following this massive drop in sales, the auto-giant from Italy has set a smart and aggressive comeback strategy into motion. Over the days to come, a number of new and attractive models are going to join the fleet of Fiat cars in the country, together with new variants of the existing models and a state-of-the-art version of the legendary Jeep marque. As per the plans laid out by the company, by the time 2014 turns to a close, a market share of 5% and a total sales count of 130,000 units would have been achieved by it.

To make sure that these plans work out exactly the way they are expected to, Fiat India is working round the clock on getting as many as dealerships set up across the country by the end of 2013. As of May, 2013, the dealership base of the company comprises of 54 outlets. Having ended its distribution agreement with Tata on April 1, 2013, the Italian automaker is working very proactively on expanding its sales and services network in India. However, it is not just the dealerships that lie within the area of focus of Fiat. Its manufacturing base, comprising of a single plant at Ranjangaon, Maharashtra, with a current annual production capacity of 100,000 cars and 200,000 engines, is being worked on so that its production capacity could be doubled over the next few years.

Fiat Models in India

Although Fiat has been a part of the Indian automobile industry for over a decade and a half, not many models have been launched from its camp in the Indian car-bazaar. The most popular entrants belonging to this clan have been the Fiat Linea sedan and the Fiat Grande Punto hatchback, both of which are locally produced at the Ranjangaon facility owned by the company. Although over the days to come, several new models are expected to make their way into the Fiat clan, expanding its portfolio and adding more charm to it, at present, only 2 models are featured on its lineup - Fiat Punto and Fiat Linea.

Fiat Lowest Price Cars

Ever since Fiat first started manufacturing and selling cars in India, its offerings have been known and applauded for the creativity, versatility and practicality that their maker incorporates in them. Simple yet attractive looks, decent comforts, sufficient room and brilliantly-designed engines - such are the traits that have always been the defining factors of every Fiat car. Despite being packed with all these qualities, Fiat cars have always managed to put forward a very affordable deal for their buyers, which only adds to their list of pros. Currently, the most affordable model that this Italian car-major has on sale in the Indian car-market is Fiat Grande Punto, having been tagged with a price of Rs 5,03,710.

Fiat Highest Price Cars

Over the past decade and a half that Fiat has spent manufacturing and selling cars in India, the price tag of each of its offerings has been very smartly branded. Pricing being a major deciding factor for the fate of every car in the Indian auto-market, Fiat India has always paid attention to keeping its cars in competitive price brackets. Be it hatchbacks or sedans, Fiat cars have always had that touch of practicality that arises from an aggressive price. That's the reason why even the most heavily priced member of the Fiat family, Fiat Linea, comes bearing a price tag of just Rs 7,12,301.

Most Fuel-efficient Fiat Cars

Fiat has spent over 15 years on Indian soil, serving as one of the most renowned automakers in the country. But, more than the car-manufacturer has been known for the cars that it has built over all these years, it has been applauded for the spectacular powermills that it has designed and manufactured at its Ranjangaon plant. Be it the immensely successful 1.3-litre multijet diesel engine or the 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre Fire gasoline mills, Fiat engines have powered, and are still driving, many cars that dash across the Indian roads today, including those belonging to the famous camp of Maruti Suzuki. What makes these powermills so sought-after amongst auto-clans is their high-performance, exceptional refinement and impressive fuel-economy returns. Thanks to these very smart engines, extremely fuel-efficient models are offered by Fiat in India, the most fuel-efficient of which is Fiat Linea, which is available for a sum of Rs 7,12,301 in the market.

Fiat Upcoming Models

Having once recorded a towering growth figure of 241%, Fiat India has been quite some troubles recently. With its sales figures having dropped down significantly and its market share reduced to less than 1%, the company is now set and ready to throw in a real fight. Aiming to raise its sales count to a staggering 130,000 by the end of 2014 and establishing its claim over 5% of the market, Fiat is gearing up to add some very alluring models to its fleet over the days to come. Included in this upcoming lineup are Fiat Punto, Fiat Panda and Fiat Viaggio.