Fiat has started work on a new customer image point and sales centre in the capital, which will open its doors to the public in early 2008 and it will mark a welcome return by the brand to central London.

Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd has started work on a new customer image point and sales centre in London, which will open its doors to the public in early 2008.

The site, at Wigmore Street, in the heart of the capital, marks a welcome return to central London for Fiat, which last operated a dealership in the city with Fiat Motor Sales in 1995. But the new site will be much more than simply a traditional car showroom.

The spacious, two-floored flagship location, to be known as Fiat Marylebone, will be an ‘experience centre’ which will not only engage customers and Fiat enthusiasts with web-based information and digital interaction, but will double as an event venue for fashion shows, receptions and marketing activity.

With plans for 10 full-time staff at the venue, an activities area for themed events and a quality Fiat merchandising centre have also been included in the proposal. There will, of course, be opportunities to discover more about Fiat’s stunning range of new cars – including the forthcoming 500 – and to order a new vehicle, but the 1,000m2 site’s non-showroom environment is also designed to enlighten, inform and entertain visitors while introducing them, through a personalised service, to the fantastic world of Fiat.

“This is all about the life and character of London, brought together into our new location,” says Tony Dittli, managing director of the new site. “It’s exciting, lively, bright and says a lot about us. “We expect people to come from around the country to see us. They will be able to enjoy the friendly atmosphere and experience the whole new approach to displaying our brand. And if they like what they see, they can contact their local dealers when they return home. That’s the idea of it.”

“The London flagship will set a new benchmark for us,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd. “In allowing us to present our cars in a new way, it will give us the ability to satisfy customer needs in a manner befitting of such a large and influential city.”

Fiat Marylebone will be situated at 105 Wigmore Street, W1. Working in conjunction with it, a new aftersales centre is being set up a short distance away. This site will offer servicing and repairs for London’s Fiat owners.