Fiat to increase prices by up to Rs 25,000 next month
December 28, 2009
“Owing to increasing input costs through the year, the company has taken the decision to have the prices of the Linea and Grande Punto increased by 2-2.5 per cent. The new prices will be effective from January 1, 2010. Prices of the Palio, however, will remain unchanged,” the statement says.
Fiat’s move at jacking up its prices comes on the back of almost all automotive companies contemplating a similar hike in the coming weeks. Companies like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Honda and Toyota have signalled a price rise.
While rising input prices is one of the primary causes, higher import costs due to fluctuations in exchange rates is also proving to be one of the main reasons for a price hike for those companies which have a high import content in their vehicles.
Since its launch in January this year, more than 12,000 units of the Linea have been sold, while the Punto, which was launched in June this year, has seen sales of 9,000 units so far.
Newest models will be shown along the Argentine coast
Fiat launches ‘beach 2010’ mission
This summer, Italian automaker FIAT Auto Argentina will be present all along the Atlantic coast and at different mountain centres in Córdoba promoting its latest vehicles. The stands will mainly exhibit the Fiat Linea, Fiat 500, the Adventure Locker line (includes models Idea, Palio, and Strada), Fiat PuntoMultiJet, and the Palio Groove that will be the main novelty of the summer, targeted to the younger public.
For the third consecutive year, Fiat will set stands at Uruguayan restaurant Tequila, located at the luxury beach resort of Punta del Este. In this occasion, models Fiat 500 and Linea will be the stars of the event. The famous Tequila restaurant has became one of the most exclusive and trendy places of Punta del Este, where every night celebrities, athletes, and businessmen meet up. Fiat did not want to be not be the exception.
This year, Fiat has reached an agreement with Argentine ice-cream chain Freddo to show the Adventure Locker Palio and the Idea models at Freddo storesi n La Barra and downtown.
As it’s been happening for the past years, Fiat will also be present in popular Mar del Plata city. It’s already a classic of every summer to find the Fiat stands at the Tío Curzio beach resort, where this year models Linea and Punto MultiJet will be exhibited. Those who visit the stand wil have the chance to try all models, get a souvenir, and also participate in games. Also, be aware that parties and numerous special activities will he held at the Tío Curzio resort.
In Cariló (around 400 kilometres from BA city), Fiat Argentina will be exhibiting the Fiat 500 and Linea at the commercial area in the downtown.
Likewise, the Italian automaker will also be present in Pinamar, where the company will set a large showroom and Customer Care centre (Av. Bunge 620). Visitors will have tha chance to watch and try the models Fiat Punto MultiJet, Fiat Linea, and Adventure Locker’s line vehicles (Idea, Palio, and Strada), Fiat Siena, and the new Fiat Palio Groove. Besides, tourists will be able to take free driving-tests, and participate in the Probá Fiat contests.
Last but not least, Fiat models will also hit the streets of VillaCarlos Paz, in the province of Córdoba. A huge stand will be set right at downtown area. The people of Córdoba will be delighted by the Palio Adventure Locker, Strada Adventure Locker, Fiat Punto MultiJet, the emblematic Fiat 500, and the new Fiat Linea.
Fiat India exhibits next-generation technology at 2010 AutoExpo
Fiat500-by-Diesel
01/06/10
Fiat India is showcasing its new variants at the Auto Expo 2010 – Fiat 500 by Diesel, Linea Dualogic Transmission, Linea T-Jet, Grande Punto Natural Power, Grande Punto Sports and Grande Punto Trendz. The new Fiat 500 by Diesel was seen by the public for the first time. The car inspired by the leading European fashion brand – ‘Diesel’, comes in 3 funky colours- Diesel Green, Diesel Black and Diesel Bronze. In addition to this, the car also sports unique 16 inch Diesel logo alloy wheels, yellow painted brake calipers, Diesel side moldings, flared rear view mirrors and eye-catching front end ‘whiskers’.
The car’s chic exterior look extends to the interiors as well, as exemplified by the Diesel brand denim cloth upholstery (with yellow stitching). The basic Sport version also has a Diesel logo on the dashboard and on the gear lever knob. The Fiat 500 by Diesel is available in any of three engine sizes (1.2 liter 69 HP, 1.3 liter Multijet 75 HP with DPF and 1.4 liter 16V 100 HP) coupled to 5-speed or 6-speed manual transmission. Along with the Fiat 500 by Diesel, Fiat’s other possible future variants were also very well received. The Auto Expo, India’s biggest auto show, has always been a great platform to showcase upcoming company products and plans. Taking full advantage of this fact, Fiat’s grand show to unveil these variants is bound to spark considerable consumer interest on the company’s upcoming plans.
The Linea, launched in January last year, has been a great success in the Indian auto market. Within one year, the classy sedan, sold over 13,000 units and continues to rake in the numbers. Now, along with the popular existent model, Indian consumers may also have access to the Linea Dualogic Transmission and the Linea T-Jet.
Linea Dualogic Transmission will have a built in transmission system that allows the user to switch between automatic & manual modes while also having the choice of using both the automatic and manual modes. The variant offers around 10% more mileage than a traditional Automatic Transmission and around 3-5% mileage improvement over a Manual Transmission. The Linea T-Jet on the other hand is the latest generation of petrol engines from the Fiat stable. The variant is higher powered as compared to the existing model and has a 110 PS Turbocharged Petrol Engine. To further add to the exciting prospect of a high powered Linea, the T-Jet will be available in a ravishing ‘red-purple’ shade that is sure to make heads turn.
The Grande Punto, launched in June of last year, and has been very well received having sold over 10000 units since launch would now be available in three variants – Grande Punto Natural Power, Grande Punto Sports and Grande Punto Trendz. The Grande Punto Natural Power, the new dual-fuel version of Fiat, will sport a bi-fuel engine (petrol/CNG) with negligible CO2 emissions. Fiat is currently the largest selling brand of CNG powered cars in Europe with around 200,000 units sold in 2009. Upon launching in India, this technology and innovation is sure to change the way consumers look at bi fuel engines.The Grande Punto Sport and Grande Punto Trendz are Fiat’s gift to the cool and modern Indian youth and come with a number of cool add-ons to surely make the user the talk of the town. This variant is a top end model of the Grande Punto range, sporting a 1.3 Multijet engine with a 90 HP power output. To make it more appealing to the Indian youth, the car will also sport a funky electric sunroof, a rear spoiler, sport red decals and dual colour interior leather seats. With these exciting add-ons, the user is sure to feel exhilarated and ready to take on the world. The Grande Punto Trendz is a limited edition variant fired up with the powerful 1.2 FIRE petrol engine. The car’s Active Plus option comes in bright and vibrant external colours with sporty decals. The car’s interior has been tastefully done to compliment the bold exterior with a high-tech CD/MP3/ FM audio system also added to the trendy mix. All these variants could be available in the near future.
LINK: Fiat India exhibits next-generation technology at 2010 AutoExpo -WheelsUnplugged Automobile Industry News
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* Fiat needs to be 'realistic' on Alfa Romeo's role
* Marchionne sees Jeep as a way to boost sales in China
DETROIT, Jan 11
Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Monday the company's Alfa Romeo brand is not up for sale, but that he understands its shortcomings and is working to determine a strategic direction for the luxury sports car unit.
Fiat, which took a 20 percent stake in Chrysler last year as part of the U.S. automaker's bankruptcy restructuring, is also close to deciding whether to reintroduce Alfa Romeo vehicles to U.S. consumers, Marchionne said.
"We need to be realistic on what Alfa should do," he told reporters at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Marchionne, who heads both Fiat and Chrysler, said Chrysler's iconic Jeep brand would be the most immediate way for the companies to tap China's rapidly growing auto industry, which overtook the United States as the world's largest car market last year.
Marchionne said the Fiat-Chrysler alliance has started to discuss ways to promote the Jeep brand in China and boost the combined company's presence there.
A Fiat 500 (left) and Fiat 500 BEV (battery electric vehicle)
A Fiat 500 and Fiat 500 BEV (battery electric vehicle) engineering study on display at the Chrysler Group LLC stand at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit
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For the fourth consecutive year the Fiat Ducato has been named the top vehicle on which to base a motor home in the Which Motorcaravan Awards 2010, presented by the UK’s leading motor home magazine.
The Ducato was designed specifically for the motor home market, and the judges praised its blend of power, acceleration, relaxing drive and the smooth gearshifts from Fiat’s six-speed MTA automatic transmission.
“It is the MTA-equipped vehicles which impressed us most,” said Which Motorcaravan awards judge, Peter Vaughan.
“We had no qualms in giving the Ducato MTA victory in the Base Vehicle category last year. And nothing has changed to stop it winning again this time around.
“With power aplenty and smooth shifts, the MTA Ducato is just effortless. It puts you in the holiday spirit straight away,” he said.
Fiat is currently the market leader in mainland Europe and the UK for the supply of base vehicles to the motor home industry.
Maserati announces pricing for new GT convertible
January 19th, 2010
Maserati GranTurismo
Maserati North America, the U.S. representative of Fiat-owned Maserati, has released the base price for its 2010 GranTurismo Convertible with initial deliveries scheduled for late spring.
The ultra-premium drop-top, the first-ever four-seat Maserati convertible, will carry a base price of $135,800, plus tax, title and license and you can reserve yours now at one of the 56 Maserati dealers in North America.
The 2010 GranTurismo is a hand-built, four-seat convertible offered what Maserati calls “an unprecedented level of personalization” including nine standard and five optional exterior colors, interior seating in a choice of ten shades of Poltrona Frau leather, six soft-top colors (Black, Burgundy, Blue, Dark Gray, Beige and Dark Brown), three wood trim options with Rosewood standard and Walnut or Wenge available as no-cost options, 20-inch Birdcage design wheels with your choice of six different optional brake colors and all the other amenities one would expect from a car
that costs the same as a house. The price of admission includes a set of tailored luggage from Ferragamo.
The GranTurismo Convertible is equipped with a 4.7-liter, 433 horsepower V8 and a six-speed adaptive automatic transmission
with standard paddle shifters.
For more infomation, visit the Maserati North America website.
UPDATE 1-Fiat sees '09 beating estimates, '10 improving
* Fiat CEO says 2009 will beat average of consensus
* Year results to be announced on Jan. 25
* CEO says 2010 to be better even without sales incentives
MILAN, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Fiat SpA's <FIA.MI> 2009 results
will beat the average of consensus figures from analysts, Chief
Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Wednesday, and he said this
year would be better even without any incentives for car
buyers.
"They will be above the average; they will be better,"
Marchionne told reporters at an awards presentation.
He said if there were no tax breaks from the government on
car sales in 2010, "we would be able to take that blow," and
this year's results would still be better than 2009's.
Fiat, which owns a 20 percent stake in U.S. car maker
Chrysler Group LLC, is set to publish results for the fourth
quarter and year on Jan. 25, but visibility for 2010 and 2011
remains limited ahead of a new industrial plan.
The consensus forecast for the Italian carmaker is for
group trading profit of 460 million euros for the fourth
quarter and just over Fiat's target of 1 billion euros for the
year.
Fiat polled analysts to arrive at the consensus on Jan. 7.
But some brokers had already suggested that Fiat could beat the
consensus based on Italian, Brazilian and European car sales
data released since Jan. 4. [ID:nLDE6030W0] [ID:nSPG002671]
"Sales were better than the consensus forecast, so we're
expecting a net industrial debt under 5 billion euros ($7.10
billion), because working capital grew less," said an analyst.
Two further analysts from leading Italian institutions agreed.
According to data from the consensus compiled by Fiat, auto
trading profit should be 200 million euros and group net
industrial debt should stand at 5.015 billion euros.
For the year as a whole, the group is expected to post a
trading profit of 1.030 billion euros and a net loss of 470
million euros.
In May last year the group set out objectives targeting a
group net profit above 100 million euros for 2009, a trading
profit above 1 billion euros and net industrial debt at 5
billion euros.
Fiat won't meet its net profit target because of
exceptional circumstances, and in particular depreciation,
which will weigh on its bottom line.
"They have talked about noncash depreciation on some
platforms, because of program changes for new models," said
another analyst.
At the release of its third quarter results in October,
Fiat said that as a result of aligning some business with
Chrysler's, it could review past investments, "necessitating
the write-off, as unusual items, of these legacy investments."
[ID:nLL248922]
The uncertainties weighing on 2010 performance are linked
to the possible renewal of scrapping incentive programs in
Europe, and to the limited visibility of the heavy goods
vehicle and industrial machine markets.
The Italian government has said its incentives, which ended
on Dec. 31, will be extended in some form this year but has yet
to give details.
Analysts are looking for clues on possible synergies and
savings from Fiat's stake in U.S. automaker Chrysler, and on
new products.
Below are consensus forecasts compiled by Fiat. They show
the median of the estimates of 25 analysts who responded to a
survey sent out by the group's investor relations department on
Jan. 7.
Q4 09 2009 2010 2011
Group Trading Profit 460 1,030 1,490 2,190
Auto Trading profit 200 480 400 630
CNH Trading Profit 110 350 515 690
Iveco Trading Profit 35 60 180 360
Pretax profit 30 (210) 790 1,560
Net profit 65 (470) 535 1,060
Net industrial debt 5,015 5,015 4,700 4,100
($1=.7040 Euro)
(Reporting by Stefano Rebaudo; Additional Reporting by Nigel
Tutt; Writing by Helen Massy-Beresford; Editing by Gerald E.
McCormick)
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Nitro Year: 2007 (July Build Date)
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Fiat will merge Alfa, Maserati and Abarth into single brand group
Posted on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 12:27 PM EST.(Employee News)
Fiat S.p.A. has created a new brand group for its sporty Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth marques, the Automotive News reported.
The group will be headed by Harald J. Wester, who is currently CEO of Maserati and Abarth as well as chief technical officer at Fiat Group and Fiat Group Automobiles, the trade paper said. Wester will keep all of his current job responsibilities, the Automotive News said.
Alfa’s current CEO, Sergio Cravero, is reassigned to head of product portfolio planning and product concept at Fiat Group Automobiles, the story said. (Automotive News)
__________________
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Nitro Year: 2007 (July Build Date)
Nitro Model: R/T 4X4 Stone White
CAT-BACK Exhaust, CAI, Projector Head Lamps
Fully-Equipped w/all factory options
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