Since its 1993 introduction, Fiat has sold more than 8.5 million Punto model sub-compact cars.
Fiat will sell Jeep brand vehicles in India by late 2013 as part of a larger business plan to launch nine new or refreshed models under the Fiat and Jeep in the next few years. The first step will be the importation of the existing Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee models, which will be arrive toward the end of 2013.
Jeep vehicles will be sold via a revised dealer group that will build from the existing Fiat dealer network. The Italian automaker will also expand its domestic production to include the sale of a new Fiat Linea classic edition and the new Fiat Punto, which is the best selling car in Italy. The company is currently selling the Linea and Punto models, which are manufactured by the Tata-Fiat joint venture. Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Limited will have around 100 employees and hopes to have 120 dealers by the end of 2013.
The announcement came during a recent visit with dealers in Mumbai by Mike Manley, Chief Operating Officer for Asia and President and CEO – Jeep Brand. Manley said the dealer network would be transformed from the current shared Tata Fiat dealers to approximately 120 independent dealers by 2013.
The Jeep vehicle line sold outside of North America includes Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep export models are available in right-hand-drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options.
