Fiat India has launched Punto 90HP
Fiat has launched a more powerful variant of its small car, the Grande Punto. Fiat has give its Punto 90HP a more powerful version of the 1.3-litre Multijet engine that is capable of delivering 90bhp of power instead of the 75bhp on the regular diesel version. This engine uses a variable geometry turbo instead, helping it breathe better and thus delivering better power.
The car is priced at Rs 6.79 lakh (ex-showroom price, Delhi) and will take on the Hyundai i20 CRDi in terms of pricing and performance. Fiat will offer the car only in the Emotion trim and it will be sold alongside the Punto diesel's 75bhp version. Customers will also be able to choose from an accessory package which includes rear spoiler, chrome exhaust, body decals, aluminium pedals and leather seat covers. Fiat sold 1,273 units of the Punto in June against 1,033 in May.
Fiat Offers 2 New Variants Of Grande Punto 1.2
Mumbai, 15th March, 2010: True to its commitment of offering customers top class automobiles, Fiat India today announced the launch of their two new Grande Punto 1.2 variants: Fiat 1.2 FIRE Dynamic and Fiat 1.2 FIRE Emotion in the heart of the premium petrol hatchback segment. With the launch of these variants Fiat can now woo the Indian consumer with an irresistible offer - an array of features present in the new variants and the bold pricing of these cars.
Grande Punto, Fiat's best selling large hatch offers incredible standard high end features like Tilt Steering, Front Power windows, Fire Prevention System, and Programmed Service Reminder in its entry level 1.2 Active variant. Apart from these, the 1.2 Dynamic variant will also offer rear power windows and central locking system. As a special introductory offer, the 1.2 Dynamic will also come fitted with an exclusive CD/MP3 player, for limited period of one month.
Meanwhile, the 1.2 Emotion variant will go beyond the Dynamic to come with an integrated audio system with 4 speakers, electric mirrors, fog lamps, dual tone dashboard and split seats amongst a host of other impressive features. With a majority of the B plus segment consumers in India being value conscious, the 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Dynamic, priced at Rs. 4.57 lakhs and the 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Emotion, priced at Rs. 4.87 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi) offer the 'real' and 'complete' deal. The Grande Punto 1.2 FIRE, with BSIV compliance also boasts of an improved fuel efficiency of 15.2 kmpl. With no other auto major offering such top end features at such nominal pricing, Fiat's new variants pack a powerful punch. The widest range of 9 variants in the Grande Punto is a true testament to Fiat's continual focus of giving the customers exactly what they desire.
In India, the Grande Punto is positioned within the same auto segment as the Hyundai i20, Honda Jazz and the VW Polo.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, President & CEO, Fiat India Automobiles Ltd, said," The Premium Hatchback segment has seen a lot of activity and witnessed a strong growth of 59% in 2009. Our new variants are a response to our customer's requirement of feature laden cars at reasonable prices. These impressive variants also give us a great opportunity to expand our presence in the B plus market segment which is one of the most important ones in India. With these launches, we are confident of providing to the consumer yet another memorable automotive experience like no other, courtesy Fiat."
The 1.2 FIRE Grande Punto Dynamic and 1.2 FIRE Emotion promise the consumer of supreme comfort with the car being one of the largest in the hatch back segment. Its significantly robust build and impressive low end torque will provide a customer with one of the safest and most comfortable drives available today. In addition to this, the new variants also have a 2 year unlimited kilometres warranty and a 15,000 kilometres service interval which is the longest service interval available in the segment and results in much lower cost of ownership. Consumers will have the option of choosing from 8 electrifying colours: Bossa Nova White, Exotica Red, Minimal Grey, Hip Hop Black, Medium Grey, Electric Blue and 2 new Premium Colours: Fox Trot Azure and Tuscan Wine.
The variants will be priced at:
1.2 FIRE GRANDE PUNTO
Ex showroom (Delhi) 1.2 Grande Punto Dynamic - Rs. 4.57 lakhs; 1.2 Grande Punto Emotion - Rs. 4.87 lakhs
The car's sleek and aggressive looks have made many a head turn and many a jaw drop. With both critics and buyers taking dearly to this vehicle, the Grande Punto has already made a significant mark in the Indian auto scenario since its launch. The new variants along with the existing Fiat models are available through 101 TATA-FIAT dealers across 78 cities and can be booked from 15th March 2010 onwards.
Fiat to Launch Linea T-Jet With Powerful Engine
Fiat India is getting ready to launch Linea T-Jet model in India. It will showcase the new model at the upcoming Delhi Auto expo in 2010. The new T-jet model will be powered by 1.4L petrol engine which will be a turbo-charged version. It delivered 120 ps @ 5000 rpm and torque of 206 nm right from 1750 rpm onwards. It reached top speed of 200 kmph and reach from 0-100 kmph in 9.2 seconds. The new Linea T-jet will be the only model in its segment that will have turbo-charged petrol engine once it is launched.
The new Linea T-jet will also have additional features like rain sensing wipers, reverse parking sensors, automatic headlamps, and Hill Holder function which means that it will stop the car from rolling backwards when you are on an incline and take your foot off the accelerator.
Fiat Linea was launched earlier this year and the model has been quite successful even since its launch. Fiat intends to regain its brand image in the Indian market and has launched premium models like Fiat 500. Fiat has also decided to increase its headcount at its R&D center to up to 200 to strengthen its research and development function.
[Via: cartradeindia]
Fiat India Back On Track – Linea Crosses 10000 Mark
The year 2009 has been a revival of sorts for one of the country's most endeared car brands. For the past few years Fiat has been preparing for this new phase in the Indian market and the efforts have met with tremendous response. The beginning of the year saw the launch of its sedan, Linea which is at the core of Fiat's success in recent times.
Linea within nine months of its launch has crossed the milestone of clocking more than 10,000 units. This figure becomes even more important considering that Fiat sold a total of 3550 cars in the corresponding period last year from January to September. Also, the Grande Punto has sold more than 5000 units within three months of its introduction.
Speaking about the milestone, Mr. Rajeev Kapoor, CEO, Fiat India Automobiles Ltd said, "Fiat is a brand which has been deeply rooted in the Indian psyche for many decades now. Our dream is to see a lot many Fiat vehicles plying on Indian roads. The milestone achieved by Linea is a testimony that we are inching closer towards this goal. Now, we are confident that the Grande Punto will emulate if not exceed this success."
[Via: CW]
Fiat India May Hike Car Prices
Fiat India is considering raising prices of its cars as the margins are under pressure. Fiat expects to sell in excess of 27,000 units this year on the back of newly launched cars, the Grande Punto and Linea. Fiat will start exporting the Linea to South Africa from September. The company had announced Rs 4,000 crore investment in India operations.
[Via: motorbeam]
Fiat hits 1.5 million units mark with Panda
Just why Fiat has never introduced the Panda in India quite beats us. The little Italian hatchback look smart (in a utilitarian, unfussy kind of way…), and with its range of 1.1-, 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol and 1.3-litre diesel engines, should be just right for India. However, Fiat, in all its wisdom, chooses to persist with the Palio rather than launching the Panda here.
Well, anyway, Fiat has just produced its 1.5 millionth Panda and its plant in Tychy, in Poland. The plant, which has been producing Pandas since 2003, will make 600,000 cars in 2009, of which nearly 50% will be Panda units. The Panda is currently one of the bestselling A-segment cars in Europe and Pandas produced at the Fiat Auto Poland plant are exported to more than 70 countries, including Japan, South Africa, Mexico, Italy, Germany and the UK.
Depending on the variant, the Fiat Panda is priced between Rs 5-7 lakh in Europe. We hope at some stage, Fiat will rethink its product portfolio for India and decide to bring this neat little car here as well.
[Via: indiaautomotive]
Fiat & Tata To Sell Nano In Latin America
Italian carmaker Fiat SpA and Tata Motors Ltd are making plans to take the Tata Nano to Latin America. Brazil is Fiat's second-biggest market after Italy. Ratan Tata, who is also a Fiat director, said that both the companies are studying further cooperation to add to existing projects such as a partnership to produce engines in India.
Tata Motors is also conducting a feasibility study to market its cars in Indonesia. Indian motorcycle manufacturers like Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor already have production plants in Indonesia. Tata Motors has a plant in Thailand and has sold nearly 600 one-tonne pick-up trucks since entering the Thai market about a year ago.
[Via: motorbeam]
Fiat India’s Loan Plans
Fiat India Automobiles is about to finalise a loan of about loan of $ 510 million that about Rs 2,458 crore - for its capex and working capital programmes. The loans include a rupee term loan, an Export Credit Agency (ECA)-backed overseas loan, and a working capital loan.
Fiat India Automobiles is a fifty-fifty joint venture between Tata Motors and Fiat Motors in India started in 2007 to market Fiat Cars in India and produce transmission sets and engines.The term loan of Rs 1,000 crore has a door-to-door maturity of six years while the ECA loan of euro 130 million (around Rs 900 crore) has a door-to-door maturity of eight years. The working capital loan of Rs 600 crore has tenure of one year.
Citi Group is the sole arranger for the loans. State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, IDBI Bank and Union Bank of India was roped in for the rupee term loan and the working capital loan. A Fiat India spokesperson said, "The company is discussing and finalising financing proposals with bankers to fund the company's originally planned operations. There is no change in production capacity." The original funding plan of 1:1 between rupee loan and ECA was subsequently revised to 2:1 on the back of rupee liquidity, said sources.
[Via: carazoo]
Audi A4, Audi A5, Audi Q5: 2010 US prices announced
Audi of America has announced the prices for the 2010 Audi A4, Audi A5 and Audi Q5. For $36,000* you'll be able to get behind the wheel of the A5 2.0T Quattro Coupe with a manual transmission in Premium trim, with the Premium Plus model commanding $39,500 and the Prestige variant priced at $44,300. Tack on an additional $1,200 onto each model's MSRP if you opt for the Tiptronic automatic gearbox.
Depending on the trim, the 2010 Audi A4 2.0T is priced slightly higher, lower or the same as their corresponding 2009 models, although all new A4s include LED tail-lamps on Premium Plus and Prestige models. The 2010 Q5 3.2 FSI starts at $37,350* and can be had with all-new 20-inch five-spoke wheels, a choice of Fine Grain Ash or Natural Brown interior inlays and a new Luxury Package for the Prestige model that includes leather door armrests and IP, along with ventilated front seats swathed in Milano leather.
[Via: germancarblog]
GM to give China dedicated vehicle
According to Automotive News China, at least one new inexpensive model from Buick or Chevrolet will be dedicated to the Chinese and other emerging markets. The undisclosed model will arrive before 2011. In addition, two more Buick-badged vehicles, and four more wearing Chevrolet logos, will roll into Chinese showrooms in the next two years.
Looking further down the road, Kevin Wale, General Motors' China Group president, reportedly also confirmed that the automaker plans to launch as many as 30 new models by 2014 in an effort to double sales. Of the 8.35 million GM cars and trucks sold in 2008, 1.09 million were sold in China.
[Via: wheelsnews]