Improving dealer network tops Fiat’s agenda

Fiat India is focusing on expanding its dealership network in the country, especially in key cities of Delhi and Mumbai, according to Kevin Flynn, president and managing director, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

The lack of a dealership in Mumbai is proving to be a huge handicap, which is an ironic as this is the city which has always been a home of Fiat.

However, the company is actively working on dealer development and aims to increase its total share in the passenger vehicle market by adding new products to its portfolio.

“Increasing our dealership count in Mumbai and Delhi is absolutely paramount because lack of significant presence in two major Indian cities is cutting our potential by 35-40 percent and I can’t afford to have that loss. There is a little bit of rationalisation going on (with respect to dealerships) but you’re going to see a difference soon,” Flynn told Autocar India on the sidelines of the 2016 Auto Expo.

“In Mumbai, we don’t have a presence for a while now and in Delhi we are down to a couple of dealerships. It really is a highest focus for us and I am working on a proper solution,” he added. Fiat India presently has just over a hundred outlets across 80 cities in the country.

The carmaker launched a new hatchback called Punto Pure at Auto Expo 2016 at a starting price of Rs 4.49 lakh for the base petrol variant and Rs 5.49 lakh for the diesel (both prices, ex-showroom Delhi). The Punto Pure is the carmaker's new entry-level offering and will slot in below the Punto Evo.

Fiat also showcased the Linea 125s and the Avventura Urban Cross concept, both of which are likely to go on sale later this year with the latter slated for a third quarter launch.

Moreover, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is all set to launch the Jeep brand in India later this year with the launch of the Wrangler, Cherokee and Cherokee SRT SUVs, all of which will be brought into the country via the CBU route. The introduction of the Jeep brand is also likely to enhance the company’s presence in the Indian market in the near term.