Fiat plans to open 100 dealers by end-2013

Fiat Group Automobiles India which inaugurated its fifth exclusive sales outlet in Noida, plans to establish 70 dealers by end-March and 100 by the end of 2013. Its newest dealership, Kashyap Fiat, is spread over 4,000 square feet and also has a service outlet at the same premises.

Enrico Atanasio, the company’s managing director said 61 letters of intent have been inked with entrepreneurs who will be part of the Fiat dealer network. The company is looking at Tier 1 cities for its new network with all joint dealerships with Tata winding up operations and switching to either brand. Atanasio said the joint service network will continue till the end of the year till the time Fiat is able to set up the service outlets. Fiat formed a new sales company last year after it ended its retail joint venture with Tata Motors.

Fiat and Suzuki Motor have an ongoing agreement for the supply of Fiat’s small diesel engine -- the 1.3-litre Multijet -- to Maruti Suzuki. The agreement, now in its second year, will see Fiat India supply up to 100,000 Multijet 75hp SDE engines every year for a three-year period. Production of the engine for Maruti takes place at Fiat India’s Ranjangaon plant near Pune. Fiat recently announced plans to bring in the Jeep and Wrangler brands into India as well as locally assemble a few models and bring in a refreshed Punto and Linea.