Fiat not to revise prices, to launch new variants

Will switch to BS IV from today (1st April)


Fiat India Automobile Ltd (Fial) has no plans to increase prices of its cars at the moment, keeping in view the Euro IV emission norms which will be effective from April 2010. From April 1, 2010, 13 cities will switch to Euro IV. Earlier, industry experts said that the Euro IV emission norms, to be effective from April 2010, would force an upward revision of prices as carmakers were making significant investments to upgrade vehicle engines to make them Euro IV compliant.


Fial president and CEO Rajeev Kapoor said, “At the moment, we don't have any plans to increase the prices of our cars due to Euro-IV emission norms. We will follow a wait and watch policy and observe other car manufacturers, then only any decision will be taken.”
On being asked about the sales, he added, "This year has been pretty good for us. We would be closing this financial year, with 24,000 units. Fiat Punto was launched in mid of the current fiscal year, and it is doing extremely well. So far the next financial year is concerned, we are targeting to sell 48,000 units that include, Fiat Punto and Fiat Linea."


He added further, "The company would launch Linea Turbo Jet and Punto 90 bhp by June 2010. Also, we are working and expect to roll out Punto's CNG variant by the end of this fiscal year."


Commenting upon small car, he added, “We are developing a new compact car for the domestic market, which will be unveiled in early 2012. The car, being developed for the Indian market will incorporate inputs from Tata Motors.” Fial is a 50:50 joint venture between Fiat Group of Italy and Tata Motors.


He added that the company had a long tradition of producing small cars. The new car to be unveiled in 2012 would be manufactured at Fial's production facility at Ranjangaon plant, which has an annual capacity of manufacturing 160,000 cars and 350,000 engines, besides 300,000 parts and accessories. The plant is currently manufacturing the Palio Stile 1.1, 1.6 models, Linea and now the Grande Punto. The facility also manufactures Fiat's successful 1.3 litre Multijet Diesel Engines and 1.2 and 1.4 litre Fire Gasoline engines. The plant will also produce Tata passenger and next generation cars.


At present there are 103 Tata-Fiat dealers across India and Fial is planning to ramp up to 124 dealers across the country by mid-2010. Meanwhile, the company launched two new Grand Punto variants: Fiat 1.2 Fire Dynamic and Fiat 1.2 Fire Emotion in the hatchback segment in Chandigarh.

Fiat Linea T-Jet to launch at Auto Expo 2010

Fiat Linea is a much loved car in India but not by automobile enthusiasts because of its not so powerful engine. The 1400cc petrol engine is just not enough to give you that driving pleasure that you are eying for. The car definitely offers a lot else, but sheer driving pleasure is not what you get from the Linea. Even the diesel version is not close.

That complaint will be over when Fiat launches the Linea T-Jet at the upcoming Auto Expo 2010 at New Delhi in January. The 1400 cc petrol engine now gets a turbocharger, and that means a stupendous boost in sheer horsepower. What the Linea T-Jet offers you is 118 bhp @ 5000 rpm. That takes to the same level of power output as the all-new Honda City, which is the flavour of the year since it was launched. Max torque is believed to be 206 nm.

The top speed, 0-60 acceleration timing and overall drivablity are all expected to go up with the arrival of the Fiat Linea T-Jet. Of course the price will not remain the same when other things in the car goes up, it certainly will go up too. We guess the Linea T-Jet would be priced at least Rs 1.5 lakh more than the current petrol Linea top-end version. Almost one year after the launch of the Fiat Linea in India, it gets an engine it deserves. This indeed is great news.

There is also much talk online about a rumoured hill-holder function in the Linea T-Jet. Essentially, this makes sure that the car does not roll back when you take your foot off the brake to move it to the accelerator. That is a welcome addition – the less riding the clutch, the better for your car. And less stress on the driver, obviously.

At the Auto Expo pavilion, Fiat will also show off the flagship model the Fiat 500 alongside the new Linea T-Jet. Also rumoured is a 1.9 liter diesel version of the Linea, but this is a rumour that is dying off – so it may not happen at all.

Fiat recently announced that the company is planning a small car for India for a 2011-2012 launch. Fiat currently sells the Punto medium hatchback car and the Linea in India. A new face lifted version of the Fiat Palio is also planned, and even this might make an appearance at the Auto Expo. 2010 is going to be an interesting year!