Fiat India haven't revealed which models will get the CNG option on the local market next year but Fiat Group Automobiles is already very strongly positioned in this area and the Fiat Grande Punto (above) is available on certain European markets in this format.

Fiat India will add CNG powered models to its range by next summer it has also been revealed as plans to build the new B-segment Fiat "Uno" in India are also taking shape with a 2011 local market launch date planned for the model which will replace the long-running Palio.

"We are working on a few CNG models. The first one will be rolled out in the second quarter next year," Rajeev Kapoor, CEO of Fiat Automobiles India said this week during a meeting with the press. "CNG is ultimately going to be a fuel for most commercial applications," he added, confirming that: "the technology is available with Fiat." He didn't reveal which models would get the CNG option in India but Fiat Group Automobiles is already very strongly positioned in this area, and the Italian-built Fiat Grande Punto which is now also built in India, is one of a swathe of models available on certain European markets in this format.

Meanwhile Fiat Automobiles India, a joint venture between Fiat Group Automobiles and domestic giant Tata Motors, is also gearing up for the arrival of the new low cost sub-B-segment "Uno" model. This car is being engineered primarily by Fiat Automóveis in Brazil with design in conjunction with Fiat Centro Stile in Turin and its 'upright' styling theme takes its key cues primarily from the Fiat Panda as well as drawing on the acclaimed looks of the Grande Punto. Fiat India's Ranjangaon factory will be one of several global manufacturing hubs scheduled to turn out this new model as the Italian carmaker prepares the ground for a second "Project World Car" family to replace the ageing Palio hatchback and its series of derivatives. The current Palio is also built in Ranjangaon and sold across India, and features a recent local-market specific facelift. As well as Brazilian and Indian production locations, the new "Uno" is proposed for the Zastava factory in Serbia, with a decision being imminent.

"We are in the process of creating a vehicle for India which will be positioned at the mass market," added. "The design is being undertaken at our headquarters in Turin, Italy. We intend to launch this in 2011 and the prototype is being worked on," he added. The 2011 local launch date will tie into its official world première which will take place in Brazil next year; most likely the "Uno" will be presented during the prestigious Sao Paulo Motor Show in the autumn. "We are developing different low cost cars and one can be for launch in India," added International Operations chief, Silverio Bonfiglioli. "But it will be in the upper low cost segment, in the price range of Rs 4-5 lakh," he noted.

The new "Uno", as it has been dubbed widely in the media, will include the exciting new bi-cylinder 900cc SGE (Small gasoline Engine) in its range. "We are adapting the engine to Indian specifications to ensure that it delivers optimum power and mileage," said Roberto Dalmasso, Manager of Fiat Powertrain Technologies yesterday.