Fiat mulls Jeep entry

Italian automaker Fiat is likely to bring products from its Jeep marque to India in a couple of years. Speaking to Autocar Professional at the Fiat Caffe in Delhi on July 10, Enrico Atanasio, senior VP (commercial), Fiat India (pictured), said: “We are looking at our products abroad and will bring what suits India best and Jeep is a likely candidate,” remarking that the specific model hasn’t yet been decided. "This will happen only by the end of next year once the dealerships are in place.”

Fiat India currently has only three standalone dealerships. “By the end of 2012-13, we should have around 70 to 80. The current Tata-Fiat dealers have to make a choice to either form a Fiat or a Tata dealership. We have also seen interest from new applicants for dealerships and have close to 200 under consideration.”

The two-model line-up (Punto and Linea) will continue for a while. “Growth in India is in the B+ and C+ segments and we will continue to concentrate on these. We are also looking at other segments but our first priority is to get the new sales company started,”saidAtanasio. He also made fleeting mention of the small 4x2 SUV and small MPV segments: “Some manufacturers have had success in these segments and we will look at them,” adding that the Fiat 500X “is another option.”

ABHISHEK SAKSENA