Fiat to launch small car in India

Fiat Group Automobiles is planning to launch small car in India in B-segment from its Ranjangaon manufacturing plant to compete with Hyundai i10, Tata Indica and Maruti Alto. According to the company official this low cost small car launch in India by 2012 from its Ranjangaon based manufacturing plant near Pune. Fiat expected that the manufacturing of cars at its Ranjangaon manufacturing plant will reach up to 200,000 cars by 2012. The company official said that Fiat understands the customer preferences towards small car in India, thus Fiat decided to enter in this market segment too and planning to launch small car in India.

Fiat has recently launched its C-segment sedan, Fiat Linea in India as a joint venture with Tata Motors. Fiat is also plans to add 1.6L multi-jet CRDi (Common Rail Diesel Engine) engine to its assembly line at Ranjangaon manufacturing plant. “We already manufactures the 1.3L Multijet CRDi engine and now we are planning about the 1.6L Multijet CRDi if there are enough volumes to warrant its inclusion,” said Mr Silverio Bonfiglioli, Chief Operating Officer, Fiat Group Automobiles International.

Fiat also planning to manufacture around 350,000 powertrain units from its Ranjangaon manufacturing plant that will also cater to overseas demands. “India will be a very important international hub for Fiat,” said Bonfiglioli.