New Fiat small car to hit Indian roads by 2012

According to Mr Rajeev Kapur, Fiat India CEO, the car would likely be introduced in India sometime in 2012. He was speaking to the reporters on the side lines of the launching ceremony of a new variant of Fiat Punto in India. Mr Kapur further added that the new small car would be priced below the Punto and the company will definitely look for right hand markets globally for exports.

The new variant of Fiat Punto comes powered with the new generation 1.3 litre Multijet engine. The new Punto model is capable of generating a peak power of 90HP, which makes it one of the most powerful car in the segment of premium cars in India.

At present, the small car segment in India accounts for more than 60 percent share of the total passenger car sales and entry of Fiat in this volume driven segment will certainly boost its market share in the country's auto market. The company will manufacture its prospective small car at its Ranjangaon facility in Pune.The current product line-up of Fiat India includes Punto, Linea and Palio models, all of which the company manufactures at its Ranjangaon factory in Pune.

Moreover, Fiat India is also planning to phase-out its mid-age small hatchback Palio from the Indian market as it now wants to fully concentrate on its well performing cars in India including Fiat Punto(hatchback) and Fiat Linea (sedan).