Fiat is planning to roll out a low cost car from its Ranjangaon plant placed in B-segment that will compete with Hyundai Santro, Tata Indica and Maruti Alto. The car will debute by 2012 from its plant near Pune. The company estimates that the production of cars at its Ranjangaon unit near Pune will reach up to 200,000 cars by 2012. Fiat says that it understands customer’s preference towards small cars in India, thus it will enter that market segment too.
Fiat recently launched its sedan, Fiat Linea in India. It is also planning to add 1.6 litre multi-jet diesel engine to its assembly line in Ranjangaon plant. “We have the production process already in the form of 1.3 Multijet and will consider the 1.6 if there are enough volumes to warrant its inclusion,” said Mr Silverio Bonfiglioli, The Chief Operating Officer, Fiat Group Automobiles International. Currently, the 1.3 litre multi-jet is fitted in Linea, Palio and Indica Vista.
The company plans production of nearly 350,000 powertrain units from its Ranjangaon plant which will also cater to overseas demands. “India will be a very important global base for Fiat,” said Bonfiglioli.
