Fiat India Automobiles Pvt Ltd has unveiled its offerings for the Indian market at the Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi today. The range of models includes Linea, Grande Punto, 500 and Bravo (above).

Fiat India Automobiles Pvt Ltd has unveiled its offerings for the Indian market at the Auto Expo 2008 in New Delhi today. The range of models includes Linea, Grande Punto, 500 and Bravo. Linea, one of Fiat’s recent launches, led the line-up of vehicles with the Fiat Palio, which was introduced with the 1.3 Multijet diesel engine. These cars will be marketed through joint Tata-Fiat dealers throughout the country.

Fiat India Automobiles Pvt Ltd, a Joint Venture between Fiat and Tata Motors, will manufacture the Linea and Grande Punto at its Ranjangaon plant in India, which will see a combined investment of Rs. 4000 crores (650 million euros) from both partners. During 2008, Fiat will commence the build-up of the re-establishment of the brand in India.

Fiat are already considering doubling production capacity at the new joint venture plant to meet expected demand. The Ranjangaon factory, located in the Maharashtra state, will be fully up to speed by the end of April, with production capacity planned for 100,000 vehicles and 200,000 engines and transmissions a year. Around 70,000 vehicles will be built this year and exports will account for a significant proportion of total production. Fiat Group business development boss Alfredo Altavilla told reporters at the New Delhi Auto Expo today: "We are not fighting for a huge market share in India but aiming to be premium in the segment we are launching cars." Altavilla t commented that capacity at the factory could rise to 200,000 cars and 350,000 engines and transmissions by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Fiat's joint venture partner Tata Motors is showcasing a new range of 17 models in cars, utility vehicles, trucks and buses at the 5,200-square metre Tata-Fiat pavilion, its largest ever presence at the Auto Expo being held in New Delhi from January 11-17, 2008. The company today launched the new Sumo Grande, Indigo CS (compact sedan) and the Indica Direct Injection Common Rail (DICOR) version which will be progressively available in showrooms from January and beginning of February, at the show. Also on display, for the first time in India, is the Xenon XT (cross terrain), a lifestyle pick-up to be launched later in the year. Tata Motors will also unveil the much-awaited People's Car tomorrow (January 10).

Also launched by Tata Motors at the Auto Expo today was the new-generation Indica, which goes on sale in the latter part of 2008. The new Indica will be available with a new range of world-class diesel and petrol engines and transmissions and with a new suspension. The car will be offered with a new 1.3-litre Quadra-Jet common rail direct injection diesel engine and a 1.2-litre Safire MPFI VVT petrol engine, which will be manufactured at the new Tata-Fiat joint venture plant at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra, besides existing Tata powertrains. The car will sport a 5-speed synchromesh gearbox with overdrive, bigger 175 / 65 R 14 tubeless tyres and a twist-beam suspension. The new Indica will be launched in the latter part of 2008 and will coexist with the present Indica range at a higher price point.

Tata Motors Managing Director Ravi Kant told reporters at the show that the Indian firm was exploring a dealer tie-up with Fiat to assist its overseas sales drive, and that there might be further production collaborations with Fiat: "We are looking for something for some markets," he said but that it was "too premature to talk about." As well as the wide cooperation in place in India between the two automakers, in South America Fiat will begin manufacturing a pick-up for Tata at the Córdoba factory.