Jeep, Abarth coming to India in 2013
Fiat India, in a press conference today, announced that the iconic Jeep and Abarth brands will be launched in India in 2013. The legendary Grand Cherokee and Wrangler SUVs will be launched in the third quarter of 2013 and will be come in via the CBU route. Fiat and Chrysler will also reduce their model architectures and focus more on sharing assets by 2014, which effectively translates into a B segment SUV in 2015 and a C segment SUV in 2016. Both vehicles will most likely be locally produced . It is confirmed that the small SUV will have engine configurations similar to the Linea.
After the launch in India, Jeep will be present in 25 cities with 32 dealers while Fiat will be present in 126 cities with 112 dealers. Post the split-up with Tata regarding the sales and service aspect, Fiat has been setting up its own dealer network and sales channels for the Jeep brand will be no different.
Abarth will most likely have separate sales channel similar to their operations in other international markets. In India though, there will also be Abarth shops at specific Fiat outlets where customers will get everything, right from performance parts to styling kits. For those of you who are checking their bank balance to buy either a Jeep or an Abarth, Fiat is also introducing its financial services in 2013.
Also on the cards will be a new Punto and Linea for 2014 with the current crop being termed as Classic in 2013. The Grande Punto will continue with the 1.2- and 1.3-litre petrol and diesel motors respectively while the Linea will have the 1.4 T-jet and a new 1.6-litre Multijet engine under the hood. That is not all. Fiat is looking to attack the Alto and Eon as also the upcoming Datsun brands with a new compact car range.
2013 definitely looks a busy year for Fiat in India.
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