27.10.2004 Today at the Auto Africa Expo 2004, Fiat Auto SA will PREVIEW the new Palio and Siena, models to be built locally, that will make their debut in South Africa next January

Fiat Auto South Africa previews today at the Auto Africa Expo 2004, the new Fiat Palio and Siena – contemporary new models that will make their debut in the crucial compact car segment in South Africa in January 2005.

The South African preview at Auto Africa represents only the second country after Brazil to receive the new Palio and Siena, indicating the significance of this introduction, and South Africa’s front-line position on a global scale.

Further elevating the importance of these models is the fact that the new Palio was recently awarded the Car of the Year 2004 title in Brazil, facing off against a brace of extremely competitive challengers.

Locally, the outgoing Palio and Siena have performed well since introduction in 2000, with a subsequent facelift in 2002 giving the models added sales impetus.

Between 2000 and September 2004, almost 30 000 Palios and Sienas have been sold in South Africa, with the Palio hatch having dominated the sales at some 20 000 units.

However, with the release of the latest models, Fiat Auto South Africa (FASA) aims to up the ante significantly, especially as the new contenders account for the use of some 80 percent of new components.

The revisions have given the latest incarnation of Fiat’s ‘World Car’ a fresh new personality, with extensive improvements to the design, functionality and ergonomics.

As one of the most up-to-date contenders in the Fiat fold, the new Palio and Siena reinforce the company’s new brand values and image, with the emphasis on becoming an even more competitive player in the local market.

“The new Palio and Siena compete with the latest in style, performance, reliability and value,” explains Giorgio Gorelli, Fiat Auto South Africa’s managing director.

“With these new models we have a more extensive product range that continues the emotional positioning of the brand.”

With production at the Rosslyn plant, the Palio and Siena are positioned as convincing challengers, made in Africa for Africa.

“We also plan to introduce in the market the latest Palio and Siena with a diesel engine, offering good performance and low running costs,” Gorelli says. “Fiat Auto SA aims to lead the segment with the Palio and Siena, offering unrivalled reliability and affordability.”

NEW FIAT PALIO AND SIENA: IN DETAIL