Fiat Auto South Africa (FASA) have presented their model range at Auto Africa 2006, unveiling the new Sedici 4x4 well ahead of its market introduction next year, expected to arrive in the late summer. With its permanent four wheel drive, raised ride height and spacious interior, this "crossover" model is expected to be a practical and popular addition on the rough roads of South Africa. The Sedici is the centrepiece of the large stand, and on the press day it was rolled out to the assembled media with a backdrop of plasma screens showing it ploughing through the mud and a vibrant light show.

FASA have presented a second new model at Auto Africa 2006 - the continents' biggest motor show - the extended cab version of the Strada pick-up which has been dubbed the Strada X-Space for the local market. Built at the Betim plant in Brazil, the Strada X-Space has an additional 30 cm of storage space located behind the front seats,;it is powered by a 60 kW 1.4-litre engine, and boasts a maximum 120 Nm of torque. The Strada model on show in the Johannesburg Expo Centre is an "Adventure" branded version, and just days after it was announced that the Strada Adventure will be exported from Brazil to Europe comes the confirmation that the Strada Adventure will be sold in South Aftrica. The Strada "Adventure" options adds improved features to the standard models, including quad-mist lights, aluminium kick plates, extended sill steps, roof bars and colour-coded bumpers. Reports from the stand suggest that Fiat are currently developing a four wheel drive version of the Strada.

Meanwhile news filtered out on press day that FASA will terminated their agreement with carmaker Nissan next August, a year earlier than had been planned. FASA recently came under the control of Fiat Automòveis (Brazil) and this has resulted in structural changes.
 

“FASA sees the early termination of the agreement as an opportunity to consolidate the delivery time of products to the market and the capacity to deliver the product requested by the customer," said FASA Managing Director Giorgio Gorelli. ”The level of service in terms of parts and vehicles, will be ensured thanks to the recent merger of Fiat Auto South Africa with Fiat Auto’s Brazilian operations. Fiat Auto’s operations in Brazil has proved its capacity to compete and deliver at the highest possible level in the Brazilian market where it has retained the clear leadership of the market, in terms of market share, quality and customer satisfaction, with the Palio and Strada models. Future possible local industrial programs are currently under evaluation at FASA," added Gorelli.

Nissan started production and distribution of Fiat products in 1990 with the production of the Fiat Uno. In 1998, Nissan and FASA entered into an agreement for the production of the Fiat Uno, Fiat Palio and ultimately the Fiat Strada and also to run the logistics of warehousing and distributing Fiat parts and accessories in South Africa. In 2002, the two companies initiated a strategy aimed at enhancing the respective Nissan and Fiat brands and separating the shared dealer operations and showrooms, which had been shared since the introduction of the Fiat Uno.