Fiat Chrysler coming in with India specific plans

Its like the good old days of Fiat are about to come as the company sketches a detailed long term plan for upcoming four years. The company now known as Fiat Chrysler has set its sail towards the year 2018 with specifically made plans for Asia-Pacific region.

In order to expand its horizon, the company will also launch 12 new models based on three platforms. The Italian manufacturer is also setting pace to double the workforce to 5000 along with the enhancement of production upto 80% to 2.45 lakh units at Ranjangaon plant by 2018. The Ranjangaon plant is Fiat's joint venture with homegrown manufacturer Tata Motors. The company is working hard to achieve a figure of retailing more than 1.3 lakh units by 2018, but seeing the current trend, its a long way to go, as the automaker barely manages to touch a figure of 10,000 units yearly.

Company's highly anticipated brand Jeep is also expected to hit Indian showrooms by the mid of 2015. Earlier, it was scheduled for the launch in the year 2013 but seeing the high import duty, slow growth, slugging Indian economy and depreciating value of currency; company decided to delay the launch of its premium SUV brand, Jeep. But now the manufacturer is looking forward to launch the luxury urban SUV Grand Cherokee as well its robust off-roader Jeep Wrangler. The company in order to cut costs, will manufacturer both the vehicles in their Ranjangaon plant.

However, this new revival plan does not include any new offering that could make Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport, a run for their money and infact the company is paying a serious consideration to utility vehicles. Right now, the company is focusing on yet to be launched crossover Avventura. Fiat is also eyeing to retail a total of 25,000 units in 2014 (a rise of 150 percent!). Furthermore, the manufacturer plans to double its network dealership to 220 by 2018.

According to presentation of Mike Manley, COO of the Asia-Pacific region and a member of the group executive council at Fiat SpA, Indian auto-sector will play a vital role in company's global portfolio in-fact in the Manley's presentation, India is expected to become the manufacturer's third largest auto-sector and second largest in the Asia-Pacific region. The company is positive to sell more than 5 million vehicles by 2018.