Fiat expands dealer network in Delhi

New Delhi, August 6, 2013: Furthering its intent to grow in Delhi, which is a key market for Fiat Group Automobiles India (P) Ltd, the carmaker opened its seventh operational outlet – Thrust Motors – in the capital. Spread across 4,500 square feet, the showroom can display five cars. The company also inaugurated another exclusive outlet at Gurgaon in the NCR. Torque Motor Cars will also display five cars and is spread across 5,500 square feet with a separate 10,040 square feet service workshop.

Nagesh Basavanhalli, president and managing director of Fiat Chrysler India Operations, who inaugurated the outlet, said Fiat is also simultaneously strengthening its service network that had been an issue till now. Though a tad less than 70 facilities at present, he said Fiat’s service outlets are growing in tandem with the dealer network and are expected to reach 100 by end-2013.

Fiat is according much importance to technical staff training for those employed at its service centres and has set up a training centre in Pune; the centre has till now trained about 700 technicians. Fiat has also invested in a warehouse near Chakan to ensure timely supply of spare parts to dealerships across the country. Basavanhalli said the company has a three-pronged growth strategy including expansion of the dealer network, a brand building exercise and a product strategy. The Fiat Group plans to roll out nine models over the next three years. Of this, four will be from the Fiat brand, four from the Chrysler stable and 1 from the Abarth brand. To start with, a refreshed Fiat model is to be launched during the festive season this year.

In the April-June 2013 period, the carmaker sold a total of 1,786 vehicles, and currently has a market share of 0.41 percent in the Indian passenger car market.

SHOBHA MATHUR