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Fiat New Zealand is gearing up for the launch of one of
the most important new cars in Fiat’s local history, the
new Fiat Punto, which is set to arrive in June.
“The new Punto is much more than just another new car
for Fiat in New Zealand,” says Lawrie Malatios, Fiat’s
New Zealand General Manager. “The Punto competes in a
sector of the car market in which Fiat has always
excelled, stylish, fun-to-drive small cars. It inherits
the mantle of such cars as the Fiat Topolino and the
Fiat 500 which means that a great deal is expected of
it, and the Punto is also the first of a whole new
family of cars from Fiat that will arrive in 2007 and
2008, transforming our presence in New Zealand.”
The omens are good for the new Punto. Since its launch
in Europe it has blasted Fiat to the top of the sales
charts and, most recently, making the Italian car maker
the fastest growing volume car brand in the UK, with a
64 per cent increase in sales for Fiat, despite a market
that has actually shrunk. Sales have been driven by
styling which has been described as the “the sexiest
small car on the market” and “what a small car would
like if it was designed by Maserati,” as well as a
highly competent performance on the road.
Pricing has played a major factor in the new Punto’s
European success and this is set to be an even more
important factor in New Zealand.
“Fiat has always offered great value for money, but the
Punto will set a new standard,” explains Mr Malatios.
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Since its launch in Europe it has blasted Fiat to
the top of the sales charts and, most recently,
making the Italian car maker the fastest growing
volume car brand in the UK, with a 64 per cent
increase in sales for Fiat, despite a market that
has actually shrunk. |
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Fiat New Zealand is gearing up for the launch of one
of the most important new cars in Fiat’s local
history, the new Fiat Punto, which is set to arrive
in June. |
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“This is because it will arrive here as part of Fiat’s
return to Australia and that means our pricing will be based
on the total volume of both markets. Its to early to say
exactly what that pricing will be, but I know it will
surprise our rivals and anyone thinking of buying a small
car should wait until the new Punto arrives in June as it
will be a great car at a fantastic price! The launch of the new Punto will be the start of a very
exciting period for Fiat in New Zealand and it will
transform our position in the market. In the UK it has
almost doubled their sales and we expect at the very
least a similar result in New Zealand,” says Mr Malatios.
“When it is followed by the next round of new models in
2007, Fiat will be playing a much more significant role
in the New Zealand car market.
Fiat plan to pull wraps of the new Punto in New Zealand
in June with a range that will include both three and
five door versions, with a range of petrol and diesel
engines, including a high performance 1.9 litre diesel,
with 130 bhp and a massive 280 Nm of torque, which is
set to provide New Zealand with its first diesel hot
hatch.
Full pricing and specifications will be announced when
the Punto arrives in June.
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