Despite being an old name in India, Fiat has not been able to strike a chord with Indian customers. Even after several failed attempts, the company isn’t ready to give up. Italian auto maker, Fiat is now readying to bring Jeep brand to India by mid-2015. The first product to be launched under Jeep brand will be Wrangler followed by Grand Cherokee which could enter through CKD route.
Both the forenamed SUVs are expected to be launched in India by 2015 while Renegade could break covers by 2016 and will also be introduced as a CKD. India is an exponentially growing automotive market and holds significance for Fiat in terms of sales. Known as small car hub, Indian car market has abruptly shifted gears to SUV/MPV segment which is thriving vigorously. Fiat’s current portfolio in India comprise of facelifted version of Linea introduced few months back, Linea Classic and Punto hatchback. By the end of this year the company will also put on sale tweaked version of Punto and new Avventura crossover that will pit against new Etios Cross and Volkswagen Polo.
The current Fiat vehicles underpin a single platform, however by 2018, Fiat plans on launching more cars underpinning three different platforms. Besides this, Fiat will also bring forth its performance oriented brand Abarth in India. Speculations suggest that Abarth could be launched in India by 2015, under Abarth, new vehicles including Punto Abarth and 500 Abarth will be made available for sale in India as CKD and CBU respectively. However, possibility of 500X crossover coming to India has been ruled out as company is only considering competitively priced cars for India. The company has big plans for the domestic market under its global strategy to rev up sales by 2018. Fiat has carved an intricate blueprint of its future plans for global markets where Asia Pacific region holds great importance. And India being a vital auto market of Asia Pacific region grabs attention of the auto maker.
