Fiat launches new Abarth models, looks at exports strategy for Jeep

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India today rolled out two new models in Delhi – the Abarth Punto hatchback and the Fiat Avventura crossover at an introductory price of Rs 9.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

While undecided whether both these two new models will be exported, Kevin Flynn, president and managing director, FCA India Automobiles, told Autocar Professional on the sidelines of the launch, “While we are not sure about exports of these particular models, we will check in with markets that are similar to us. Exports will be far more important for us in the future and will definitely form a part of the strategy of bringing the Jeep brand to India. It will also form part of the Make in India philosophy. And we want to maximise our investments in the Ranjangaon plant near Pune so that it will become both an export hub and manufacturing hub globally.”

FCA had earlier in the year announced plans of investing Rs 1,768 crore in its manufacturing joint venture, Fiat India Automobiles with Tata Motors. The investment will support the production of an all-new Jeep model that will be locally made by early 2017. It is likely to be an all-new product (codename: CSUV) that will be slotted above the Jeep Renegade (codename: BSUV) and below the Jeep Liberty. The Jeep brand will be launched in India sometime next year with the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler models that will be sold as CBUs. They will be displayed at the Auto Expo 2016.

FCA has already started setting up separate dealerships for marketing the Jeep brand in India and these are expected to take a firmer shape next year.

Meanwhile, the Abarth Punto comes with a 1.4-litre T-Jet Abarth engine and produces 145bhp of power enabling the hatchback to race from 0-100 in 8.8 seconds.

The company claims that this will be the first hatchback to break the 10- second barrier in the country. The car has a top speed of 190kph and comes along with ABS and EBD for ensuring stability at high speeds. 

The new Avventura powered by Abarth, also fitted with a 1.4 four-cylinder T-Jet engine, develops 140bhp of power and sprints from 0-100kph in 9.9 seconds and is claimed to be the fastest crossover in the country.

Positioning the Abarth Punto as a  performance car, Flynn says that this hatch will create its own segment. It has been indigenously developed, that has involved tuning of both suspension and engine, over an 18-month period. “The Italian styling and design, stability at high speeds, lowered ground clearance and host of plus features makes the Abarth Punto the hottest and fastest hatchback available in the country. We are also widening and strengthening our product portfolio by introducing another performance-oriented vehicle from FCA’s stable.”

Both the models will be on offer in one variant through a pan-India network of 100 outlets. The brand Abarth was earlier introduced in India this year by launching the sporty coupe the Abarth 595 Competizione in the form of a CBU kit.

India is a strategic market for FCA and the carmaker is keenly optimistic that it will be able to rake in the volumes and footfalls with its two new launches during this festive season.

According to Ranjan Kumar Mitra, Head - Product Strategy and Planning, the Abarth Punto is fully sourced and built in India except for the engine that is completely imported. Both the Abarth Punto and Avventura share a lot of features; they are built on the same platform and have common panels.

Both the models carry the same price tag for a start as the idea was to woo the customer with a sub-Rs 10 lakh price bracket. FCA has already started shipping the cars to dealerships and is hopeful of a good customer response, based on which it will ramp up further.