Fiat has announced that it
will return to Australian car showrooms on Friday 23
June 2006 with the all-new Fiat Grande Punto heralding a range
of new cars from the renowned Italian car maker.
“Fiat is one of the world’s
most influential car makers and the Fiat Group is one of
the world’s major companies, so its return to the
Australian car market is a significant event,” explains
David Stone, the General Manager for Fiat cars in
Australia. “Fiat’s reputation has been built on a host
of classic small cars, such as the Topolino and the Fiat
500, so it is highly appropriate that it should return
to this market with its latest small car, the Fiat
Punto. As with its predecessors,
the Grande Punto proves that small cars can be stylish,
technically advanced, fully equipped and offer a great
driving experience. In coming months, it will be joined
by more Fiat models which we are certain will be as
successful as Fiat’s commercial vehicle range has been
since its Australian launch. Fiat will provide
Australian car buyers with a new choice of stylish,
value for money cars,” says Mr Stone.
Following its launch in
Europe last year, the Grande Punto has proven to be an
immediate and outstanding success for Fiat Auto. It has driven
straight to the top of the sales charts, doubled Fiat
sales in markets such as the UK and made Fiat the
fastest growing major marque in Europe this year.
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Following its launch
in Europe last year, the Punto has proven to be an
outstanding success for Fiat Auto. It has driven
straight to the top of the sales charts, doubled
Fiat sales in markets such as the UK and made Fiat
the fastest growing major marque in Europe this
year. |
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The relaunch of Fiat
passenger cars into Australia began to gear up when
the Grande Punto was presented at the Melbourne
International Motor Show in Sydney back in February. |
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The Fiat Grande Punto will arrive in Australia with a choice of
three or five doors, four different engines including some
of the most advanced diesel engines in the market and an
equipment level and price combination that will place it at
the top of the value for money league. The Fiat range will
be sold initially from the Alfa Romeo dealer group, but, as
sales grow, Fiat-specific dealers will be appointed across
Australia. Fiat is being imported into
Australia by Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd, the largest
Australian independent car importer. Ateco imports Alfa
Romeo, Fiat Commercial Vehicles, Ferrari and Maserati into
Australia and New Zealand, as well as Citroën in Australia.
Based in Sydney, it was also responsible for making Kia the
fastest growing car make in Australia during its tenure with
Ateco. Ateco brought Alfa Romeo back to Australia in 1998
and launch the Fiat CV range here in 2000.
“There could not be a better
time to bring Fiat to Australia,” says Mr Stone. “As fuel
prices rise, the market is increasingly looking for smaller,
more efficient and economical cars that are still stylish
and fully equipped. The Fiat Punto simply ticks all these
boxes and we are in no doubt that it will be a great success
in Australia.” Full details of the Fiat Grande Punto range will be
announced when it goes on sale in Australia on 1 July 2006.
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