FIAT India Sales

it is good compared to last month (September)

it was around 437 for punto+avventura

now it is around 631 around 46 percent hike.

 

Oct 14 was 1368 ! Almost 50% down this year. I really hope Abarth makes it big for Fiat.

 

Abarth was never intended to be a mass market car and thus will not have any major impact on sales. A 50 plus or minus is loose change in the automotive business. In this race, I am beginning to appreciate the possible impact that Quid might have. Maruti is facing the heat from Hyundai in the premium hatchback, cross-over segment and if Renault manages to pull it off may face the heat from Kwid in the entry level segment.

On a personal note I am very interested in the fate of the Kwid. I have had numerous arguments with the more learned members here that to do well in business you have to give them what they want. In India it means coke cans with dinner plate sized tires, butch looks and a good audio video system. So give them that and run your way to the bank. Kwid is already in the top 10 sellers and looking at the way things are might crash in the top 5

 

Well said @Raj_pol . No wonder Ford has also started taking that route (read: Aspire, New Figo). I recently checked out the new figo. Although the diesel engine with 100 ps is brilliant, if not very free and high revving, but in general it doesnt feel like a Ford product, the doors dont have any heft at all, and even the steering leaves a lot to be desired. The lighter weight has lead to an increase in FE. It should give 20 km/ltr easily.

 

Damn that 3 or 4 kms lower fuel efficiency. But I would take that previous generation Ford Figo any day just for that superb Hydraulic Steering and for the good built. The current generation Ford Figo is nothing short of Shit for the enthusiasts like us. Damn those doors, alas, they doesn't even have door beadings. Although iam Fiat Enthusiast for a very longtime, My first car was Ford Figo and I was a fan of Ford until they launched the current generation of Figo/Aspire.

Now, Fiat should advertise something like "The Only Safest Car Brand in India that can satisfy the enthusiasts and masses".

If Fiat have enough showrooms, reliable and honest service points Plus good advertising, they sure will earn good share in market.

 

@Raaz I am not talking about you. In the bigger perspective, if I was anyone in Fiat I would gladly loose you as a customer for the opportunity to sell 50 K cars in 1 month (No of Kwid booked before they stopped accepting bookings).
What I have said is for Fiat to succeed - would it hurt me , yes of course it would but then who am I Maybe I would buy one of those old T-jets and keep enjoying the build and steering.

 

Raj_pol, I think and wish Fiat would never compromise on the build quality and their passion for the good cars. If they ever sell their soul for the market gimmicks like KWID, I too would be in the same vein as you. I mean, Buy an old one and get myself happy.

 

Fiat's USPs are totally different from their Asian competitors which makes it very difficult for Fiat to cater to the mass market. Like Ford, Fiat will also have to dilute its USPs if it wants to do good numbers. In India, till people's thinking/priorities dont change, I dont see it coming. But yes, Fiat can at least do a lot better than they are doing currently.

A colleague of mine once said 'Fiat makes great driver oriented cars and they try their best to do everything that can reduce FE (like hydraulic steering, heavy build, gear ratios etc'. Well thats also a given perspective .

 

@Raj_pol What I meant in my previous post was - I really hope Abarth gives Fiat some visibility in the market. But yes, with the current situation expecting it to sell more than 50 is a dream.
Anyway I work in an automotive company which specializes in infotainment and clusters. Kwid's cluster is developed by our organization and the guy who sits next to me used to test it. I won't comment on other aspects of Kwid as I haven't seen it in person, but the cluster is one heck of a product. I am sure people will love it. Also, I believe Kwid won't be as successful as people think. Very long waiting periods and attitude of their dealers will be their biggest problem. I don't know why people say Fiat's service is bad. I guess they never been to Renault showroom. Duster was a success for them because there was no competition to them in that segment. For Kwid, it is a different story.

 

motoroctane.com/news/21165-fiat-india-to-manufacture-multiair-engines-exclusiveo-manufacture-multiair-engines-exclusive

New post on multiair engines in India
Mod: kindly move to related thread