fiat

Rendering – 2013 Fiat Linea [facelift]

by Paul Joseph February 3, 2012 Featured

Fiat has started working on the facelift for the Linea in Europe and the first spyshots were posted here on IAB yesterday. Fiat India introduced MY2012 Linea last month with no cosmetic changes that continues as the mainstay model for the rest of 2012. In 2013, there’s a good chance of seeing the new Linea in India. The new Linea is reportedly gearing up for a premiere at one of the big auto shows in Europe (Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt) this year and by the year-end to grace showrooms. Fiat has disguised the 2013 Linea to keep the auto aficionados guessing about the final look. They’re not ready to give it away yet, but help from our good friend Shoeb R Kalania, we’re able to bring you closer to the unmasked car. The front-end is entirely new except for the headlamps. The new Linea gets a different rear bumper and stoplights. There might be changes under the bonnet with the inclusion of a 1.4-liter MultiAir petrol engine. [Spyshot sourced from WorldCarFans.com ]

Tagged as: 2013 linea, chevrolet sail, fiat, india, shrawan-raja

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Spied – Fiat Linea facelift gets a new front-end

by Paul Joseph February 2, 2012 Featured

Fiat India’s CEO Rajeev Kapoor told IndianAutosBlog.com four weeks back that the company will work on facelifts of its current range, without putting a date on it. He categorically stated that 2012 will be reserved exclusively for the MY2012 Punto and Linea to penetrate the market. Fiat is working on a new retail strategy, which once in place, can leave the product planning team to get creative. Through stand-alone dealer outlets (setup by Tata Motors dealers across 20 cities), Fiat can sell products without any distraction or cannibalization. Fiat engineers meanwhile in Europe are testing the facelift of the Linea for a launch in late 2012. This model is likely to make it to India next year. Indian Autos Blog readers already know that the Linea and Dodge Dart are not relatives . The Dart is developed for Dodge to put the grab the market share of  Toyota and Honda in the America’s C-Segment market. On the 2013 Linea, one can see a new grille with widely spaced horizontal slats. The Fiat badge moves upwards, V-Shaped lower intakes, bigger housing for foglights, new rear bumper and boot lid, and new wheel caps are visible inclusions. The WorldCarFans report states Fiat is mulling the inclusion of the 1.4-liter Multi-air engine on the Linea facelift. This is Fiat’s first cosmetic surgery on the Linea since its launch in 2007. [Source - WorldCarFans.com ]

Tagged as: china, fiat, ford, ford ecosport, indian, spy pictures, spyshots

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Fiat India needs the novo Siena to trouble Manza and Etios

by Paul Joseph January 30, 2012 Featured

For many of us, it’s very hard to stomach down the fact that Fiat with such sparkling cars in the Linea and Punto are back markers in India, one of the world’s largest growth markets. Despite having some gorgeous and all-round brilliant cars in its portfolio, Fiat simply failed to captivate the imagination of Indians. Why? Well, let’s leave this discussion for another day and concentrate on finer bits and Fiat’s newer models. So, let’s kick off with the news of the brand new Siena that’s ready to set foot in Brazilian roads. On the looks front, the new Siena (codenamed as 326-3V) is strikingly similar to the new-gen Palio. The side profile is exact same as the new Palio, and it’s only when your eyeballs reach the rear that the lines begin to differ. Sprawling headlamps are reminiscent of the Bravo and the Idea, while the rear-section remains more or less the same as the current generation, with added chrome beads at bottom. The 2013 Siena is an alternative to the Tata Manza and Toyota Etios The most impressing bit here is the interiors though. Even in the scoop pictures it feels and looks miles ahead of anything we have seen on any small Fiat, so far. The Fiat Siena will be offered with the following engine options-1.4 EVO, 1.4 EVO Tetrafuel and 1.6 16V E.torQ. A 1.8 16V E.torq is also speculated to enter later. The first place of production will be in Betim (Brazil). Whether it’ll come to India or not is anyone’s guess. Fiat is working on a strong semi-independent dealer network before bringing new models to India. Fiat India has taken note of the new Siena but was not forthcoming on its plans to sell it in India. Nevertheless, do you think it can help Fiat change its fortunes here? [Spyshots sourced from AutosSegredos.com.br ] By Shivank Bhatt

Tagged as: 2013 fiat siena, 2013 siena, fiat, spy pictures

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Fiat may tie up with PSA to fight the Germans

by Paul Joseph January 30, 2012 Featured

Sure, GM may have taken the crown of the number one manufacturer in the world. But even GM knows that it was only marginally able to pull away from the German Giant – Volkswagen. VW is planning an onslaught to reach numero uno title and so far things seem to be on track. The group owns few of the most profitable brands such as Porsche, Skoda, Seat and Audi and is expanding its footprint throughout the globe at a breath taking pace. With VW planning to sell 10 million vehicles annually by 2018, it will be hard for smaller manufacturers like Fiat-Chrysler to sustain themselves in the market. Thus, in order to fight the VW group, Fiat is planning to tie up with France’s PSA Peugeot-Citroen. So far, it seems the only hope for survival. In a modern market where consumers are constantly searching for something new and exciting, research cost spiral high. To offset the research cost and to achieve economies of scale, manufacturers join hands. A leading example is Renault-Nissan partnership which (when combined) is one of the top 5 auto manufacturer in the world. Fiat and PSA almost seem like a match made in heaven. While Fiat suffers from excess capacity, PSA production is spread among French plants that are too small and costly to stay profitable in the event of a price war. Both the automakers could benefit in the longer term from pooling their strongest products. What are your thoughts on the partnership? Source: AutoNews

Tagged as: citroen, fiat, peugeot, psa peugeot-citroen

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Maruti Suzuki inks new pact with Fiat for diesel engines

by Paul Joseph January 19, 2012 Featured

We followed the Suzuki-VW relationship quite closely right from its inception as we expected great things out of it. However, things did not go as we would have hoped. If you have been following the auto industry with a keen eye, you are well aware that Suzuki has decided to part ways with VW. The implication of the break up is quite clear – Suzuki has signed an agreement with Fiat for the supply of Fiat’s 1.3-liter Multijet four-cylinder to Maruti Suzuki. As per the agreement the joint venture between Fiat and Tata Motors will supply up to one lakh engines per year to MSIL starting from January, 2012, for three years. Over here, we are talking about the 1.3L Multijet diesel engine which the whole of India is crazy about because of its punchy power, low maintenance and frugal nature. The production of the engines will commence in the fourth week of January at Fiat’s Ranjangaon plant near Pune. This plant produces powertrains for the Linea, Punto, Indica Vista and Indigo Manza. The sudden popularity of diesel cars in India is due to the price differential between petrol and diesel prices. In fact, the market share of diesel cars grew by 6% to around 23% in just 9 month. Maruti Suzuki will plonk these engines in their own cars such as Swift, DZire, SX4, Ritz and the upcoming Dzire CS and Ertiga. These 1,00,000 engines from Fiat will be in addition to the existing capacity of 270,000 diesel engine manufactured by Suzuki Powertrain India per year. [Source: LiveMint.com ]

Tagged as: fiat, fiat india, maruti-suzuki, multijet engine

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3 questions for Fiat India CEO Rajeev Kapoor

by Paul Joseph January 17, 2012 Featured

I sat down with Fiat India’s CEO Rajeev Kapoor at the launch of the Fiat Caffe in Janpat, New Delhi and asked him three questions our readers have often put across to us through our Twitter, Facebook and comment channels. Will Fiat India revive the Siena brand in India? Spyshots from various Brazilian websites show a successor being developed on the novo Palio’s foundations. RK – We are working on several product options for India but certainly I can’t share with you today what different options we’re working on. Rest assured that Fiat is going to be much more stronger as time goes by. We are not here for short-term. When you have to be in the country for the long term it has be based on product strategy. So the time is not right to talk about it. There are several segments that are of interest, several segments that are growing now and one has to keep focusing on where the opportunities are. Fiat showcased the Punto CNG at the Delhi Auto Expo two years ago, will you bring it to the market soon. Are you considering new vehicles on the Punto and Linea platforms? RK – The CNG variant is a possibility any day but I feel the distribution for the CNG is not mature enough to bring it into non commercial use. As the network keeps maturing the time will become better and right to launch a CNG model. The product (MY2012 models as one) is contemporary, it is equivalent to any new launch in the market. We are going to continue with this and certainly we will start thinking about can we do a visual change into the cars (facelift). We will work on that. These two products are mainstay products and we will continue with this. For 2012, will we see an additional product? RK – 2012 will be used to make these two cars (MY2012 Punto and Linea) successful. We are currently focusing on the market, we need to do a lot of work on the distribution side and make sure we meet our volume aspirations. Image – Mr Rajeev Kapoor addresses the media gathered at the launch of the Punto in 2009. Image captured by Ritesh Madhok.

Tagged as: fiat, my2012 linea, my2012 punto, rajeev kapoor

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Fiat Caffe – launched at New Delhi by Fiat Auto India

by Paul Joseph January 9, 2012 Featured

Fiat Auto has launched first Fiat Caffe in the country for boosting their image in Indian auto industry. The purpose behind launching this FIAT Caffe is to display the unique Italian automotive lifestyle experience for the owners of FIAT. The opening of this Caffe is at Tolstoy Marg in New Delhi. It is going to be the first Caffe in the country. It has been decided by Fiat to launch its second Caffe in Pune to make India the country to pompously house two FIAT Caffes.At the newly launched Fiat Caffe, customers are able to view through the latest Fiat India cars and can even take a test drive, browse through Fiat globally. Customers can easily get Fiat India details in this Caffe. Huge video screens running FIAT ads, fittings, furniture, and the collection of international FIAT merchandise will surely provide a glimpse of huge history and rich heritage of Fiat along with a luxury feel to the Caffe. The guests surely enjoy the classic Italian environment in the Caffe. One can increase his or her knowledge about their favored brands, sipping to Italian Coffee that will be the main highlight of the Fiat Caffe. (more…)

Tagged as: auto india news, auto industry news, fiat, fiat india news, news for fiat india

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The next generation Fiat Linea is not a rebadged Dodge Dart

by Paul Joseph January 8, 2012 Featured

An official belonging to Fiat India told IAB that the new Dodge Dart to be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show this month is not the Fiat Linea successor. He said the Dart is a bigger car developed for Chrysler to get a foothold in compact segment of the North American market. The Dart is built on the Fiat C-Platform whereas the Linea will stick to its B-Platform roots. Fiat India will focus on the Linea and Punto in 2012 with no immediate plans to expand its lineup. The official said the upgrade to the Fiat 500 is in discussion stage. The company may offer a new engine or transmission, upgrade it to meet BS4 norms, and launch it in more cities. Fiat is inaugurating its second Caffe in India in Pune this month. The ovation to the store will decide if Fiat can explore other cities with this concept. Fiat sees no market for the Abarth in India in 2012. Examples running on the roads belong to private importers. Efforts are on to establish a rock-solid retail network before new products can come out.

Tagged as: dodge dart, fiat, fiat linea

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Fiat India tells IAB its low-price hatchback is unlikely to be Palio, Uno or Panda

by Paul Joseph January 7, 2012 Featured

Fiat India’s CEO Mr.Rajeev Kapoor spoke to IndianAutosBlog.com at the Fiat Caffe unveiling in Janpat, New Delhi. He was not very forthcoming about future products but his answer was filled with clues on the upcoming car that is going to be positioned in the high volume segment. Rajeev Kapoor to IndianAutosBlog.com – You see any product that is coming to India now by us or any other manufacturer has to be very India specific because, India is turning out to be a predominant diesel market. Any car which comes to India has to very India centric because they have to address specific needs that the customers want. So yes we’ve been working on a car. The market has been evolving for us in the sense that in the last two years we’ve been trying to focus on these two cars (Punto and Linea), we got some good learning from launching these cars from our customers, like battery, AC etc, so we said we need to sit down and perfect those first. So in the coming future you will see a car from Fiat. That car could be on any available platform of Fiat. That’s not an issue. You have seen Panda, Uno, 500, this car could be on any platform but it should be suitable for India..so the work is going on and at the right time we’ll let you know! Mr Kapoor insisted that Fiat’s new car is an India specific model and the focus this year is on the Punto and Linea. The Uno, Palio and Panda are not India specific cars. They have been designed and developed for South American and some European markets where those nameplates are heavyweights. The small car for India is likely to come out next year.

Tagged as: fiat, fiat small car

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Live Images of the new and awesome Fiat Caffe in Delhi!

by Paul Joseph January 6, 2012 Featured

After experiencing the hustle and bustle of the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo, the team is completely exhausted to the bone and wanted a place to chill. What better place to chill than the newly inaugurated Fiat Caffe in Janpath, Delhi. Yes sure, it’s still work but it’s a better part of it. IAB was the first to break the news on the opening of the Caffe and followed it up with spyshots (or sort of) from the construction site. So yes, we are at the Fiat Caffe experiencing vita Italiano first hand. The place was inaugurated today morning. A Fiat official told us that the central area in the café can always be used to display cars planned for the future. Right now, there is a 2012 Linea and Punto showcased. On the first floor there is a coffee shop of Lavazza for your mojo needs. There is also a display for merchandise that is up for grabs and a cool bicycle. The ambiance is serene white with some flashy red adding to the overall aesthetics. Check out our image gallery to experience Fiat Caffe first hand. Fiat Caffe Image Slideshow Can’t see the slideshow above? Head over to the Fiat Caffe Flickr page for the images.

Tagged as: fiat, fiat caffe, fiat caffe new delhi

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