The country’s largest vehicle maker Tata Motors today has said that it is redrawing distribution plans for its joint venture partner Fiat as the Italian car maker is registering moderate sales figures in the country, far below expectations. As per these new plans, Fiat will now be having its own independent brand showrooms in the Indian market, although it will continue to sell its cars through Tata dealerships also.
According to a statement given by Tata Motors Vice President (Commercial-Passenger Car Business Unit) R Ramakrishnan, "We are looking at ways to improve the sales numbers. We are not where we want to be (of Fiat branded cars). We are redrawing the plans to boost the sales."
It is to be mentioned here that Tata-Fiat signed a joint venture agreement in year 2007, collaborating on the manufacturing, distribution, after-sale fronts.
In the first 10 month of current fiscal, Fiat managed to sell 17,840 units in the Indian market as compared to 20,280 units sold in the same period last fiscal, registering a dip of 12 per cent over the same period last fiscal.
