Fiat to exit car business in India

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Fiat India is all set to exit the car business in India, thanks to lackluster sales (selling just 101 cars between December 2017 to November 2018) and due to the inability of all its model to meet the upcoming safety and emission norms in India.

In order to meet the norms, Fiat would have had to invest Rs. 4,300 crores, which considering the lackluster sales, didn't make any sense.

Fiat India has asked its dealers to sell off the current stock by April 2019.

 

[Theloststory]

It’s sad. I am no expert but I feel if Fiat had brought their international offerings to India they would have fared much better. What if they brought the 500 and locally assembled to reduce price? It would have sold a lot at the kind of price VW Polo sells at, maybe?

The Fiat 500L would be good for the markets here no? Also the Ducato Van. It can fit between the Innova and the larger Force zmotors Traveller.

Jeep has it a sweet spot with a well made modern vehicle and almost right still think it’s just so slightly expensive). Fiat could have done the same? Or Renault... they also don’t get their latest cars to India.

I wonder why Nissan is holding back its XTrail.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Yes. In all likelihood, their fortunes would have been very different, had they tried to bring in newer models. But then again, I guess they were afraid of pushing in more investment into India and were just happy selling engines to other manufacturers. Now that others are no longer dependent on their engines, they are facing the heat.

 

[deepam]

off all car manufacturers in India, I guess Hyundai has really understood Indian mentality and they are reaping the benefits.
Fiat never wanted to really focus on Service network and Service revenue. Had they had done that right, they would have given other manufacturers run for their money.
Fiat India consciously decided not to invest on 1.3 MJD to make it compliant to Euro VI or BS VI in order to push 2.0 MJD.
What Fiat did, Jeep is following the same path. Compass Sales is dropping and I am not really excited about Renegade Product. With already Ecosport, Brezza, Nexon, FreeStyle, WR-V and i20 active this segment is overcrowded.

Anyway time will tell.
Apart from Compass, 2.0 MJD is launched in Tata Harrier, expected to be in H7X
Then also in MG , I recollect as HECTOR.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Exactly. Manufacturers who fail to heed to the wants and aspiration of Indian consumers will eventually end up packing up and leaving. There is now real competition in all the segments and it is only going to get tougher.

 

[Theloststory]

Unfortunately as consumers we don’t have much choice. I was looking for an upgrade to my 7 year old Yeti but what’s the choice? At 10s of lakhs of price, the specs are so weak for almost everyone.

@deepam you are right about renegade. Jeep should have focused on building Grand Cherokee in India to capture more sales at a lower price. And also the wranglers. Wrangler sells for some 18 lakhs or so in USm even if they sold it for 25, it would have made a huge impact.

 

[kprasad]

There are many fiat owners who are and will continue to be a happy Fiat owner even if they close down. The replacement for Punto or a Linea is not an easy job either.
many discounts are going on for Abarth and Lineas. Grab a 125 Linea T jet or an Abarth. Best car/s what money can buy now.
Of late 10L price ranged products of Fiat are contesting with premium segment cars like Rolls Royce or Mercs in terms of monthly sales figures.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

There are many fiat owners who are and will continue to be a happy Fiat owner even if they close down. The replacement for Punto or a Linea is not an easy job either.
many discounts are going on for Abarth and Lineas. Grab a 125 Linea T jet or an Abarth. Best car/s what money can buy now.
Of late 10L price ranged products of Fiat are contesting with premium segment cars like Rolls Royce or Mercs.

The only issue, eventually the spares are going to become an issue and resale value is going to take a nosedive, not that it is any great right now .

 

[kprasad]

spares are going to become an issue

Palio spares are still available. Still many aged and new puntos, lineas are running around in towns and cities in south India esp KL and TN. So should hope for spare availability atleast for next 5 years.
Thanks to a super star diesel engine. Engine parts may be easy to get as there are many common parts across the market. Vista, Manza etc.,

not that it is any great right now

Very strong reason to live with a car and not to change it

The lakhs and lakhs of ODO readings of co-fiat owners are a true testimony for the quality of spares/products in Fiat. Hope Mopar service doesn't nosedive after Fiat moving out.

 

[deepam]

The issue will not be the regular engine replacement parts!
However parts like:

1. Gear Lever
2. Clutch
3. Fan assembly
4. Radiator.

Then Body parts [Sheet as well as plastics] incase of some major damages due to accidents, will be a challenge.