More than a thousand guests, of whom eight hundred are journalists, have arrived in Turin on twelve special charter flights today, to take part this evening, at Turin's Palavela, in a gala evening for the launch of the new Fiat "Grande Punto".

They have been welcomed at the Palavela - which has been recently refurbished for the 2006 Winter Olympics - by Fiat Chairman, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne, Vice-Chairman, John Elkann and Brand Promotion Manager, Lapo Elkann.

Among the guests are, Minister Domenico Siniscalco, undersecretaries Roberto Cota and Michele Vietti, Mayor of Turin, Sergio Chiamparino, Chairman of the Province, Antonio Saitta, Chairman of the Region, Mercedes Bresso, Bishop of Turin, Cardinal Severino Poletto. Futher distinguished guests include, Chairman of SanpaoloImi, Enrico Salza, Managing Director, Alfonso Iozzo, Chairman of Mediobanca, Gabriele Galateri di Genola, the leaders of Ifi, Gianluigi Gabetti and John Winteler, Secretary of Cisl, Savino Pezzotta, and that of Uil, Luigi Angeletti. Also on the guest list is Juventus Football Club Director, Giraudo, the Scuderia Ferrari Formula One drivers, Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, who are being accompanied by team boss, Jean Todt.
 

The guests will be greeted in a vast 'green' area, which has been decorated with bamboo canes and large plants. The menu, which has been printed on a large card in the shape of the "Grande Punto", will consist of typical Piedmontese dishes, listed with details referring to the new car. The first courses will be prepared by Guido di Pollenzo, the second courses by Massimo Guzzone, and deserts by Daturi and Motta, and all courses will be accompanied by fine Piedmontese wines. The car will be launched with a three dimensional show of light, sound, and film, along with performances by the twenty six acrobats who make up the "Kitonb" group.

At the exit of the Palavela there will be a long line-up of "Grande Puntos" fitted with various engines, model trim level finishes, and available colours. The car's characteristics will then be explained to the guests by the team of fifty engineers and technicians, led by Cristina Siletto, who has been working on the new car project for the last four years. Tomorrow morning the car, which has cost 800 million euros to develop to being now production ready, will be shown to the eight hundred accredited journalists present.

The city of Turin - home to the giant Mirafiori plant where the car will be assembled - will also take part in the launch with banners being displayed all over the city, along with window decorations and adverts for the presentation. The Grande Punto will then makes its public debut when it is exhibited at the Frankfurt International Motor Show from Thursday, 15th September.