click on the thumbnail to read the full story
Fiat has started testing the rebadged Dodge Dart in China. Many in India falsely believe the rebadged Dart is the new or successor to the Linea. This is incorrect as with a facelift in the pipeline, the current Linea has some more time before hanging up its boots. Fiat’s version of the Dart may use the Linea badge. It’s bigger than the Linea, uses a 1.4-liter turbo petrol engine (like the Linea’s 1.4 T-Jet) and is a C-Segment car.
Fiat’s 500 may be the most stylish small car ever made in Italy, but the wave of new competition could sideline the little champion. Introduced back in 2007, Fiat should be mulling a facelift operation, and the launch the 500L gave plenty of clues on the makeover, if one is to happen soon.
The headlights may be pulled back into the bonnet and the the bumpers could be heavily designed.
Volvo is said to have to change its mind on developing a competitor for the S-Class and 7 Series. Its new owner Geely could have influenced the decision to build a range-topping S100, based around the Concept Universe shown at last year’s Beijing Auto Show. A revised concept car moving closer towards production is expected to be on view at this year Beijing Show that’s opens its doors in April.
Fiat may not have participated in the Auto Expo but they did unveil upgraded versions of the Linea and Punto just before the Expo. Fiat India added a few features to the base model of the Linea such as rain sensing wipers and auto headlamps and increased the ground clearance (GC) of Linea and Punto.
However, if you already own a Linea/Punto then don’t you worry because Fiat India has introduced GC packages for the existing customers.
These GC kits will raise your Punto’s ground clearance from 173 mm to 185 mm and the Linea’s from 161 mm to 185 mm to help you tackle the potholed roads, XL speed breakers and water logged streets with great ease. This GC package will be of more use to Linea owners as Punto’s 173 mm generally does not scrape its belly over an adulation.
Fiat has started working on the facelift for the Linea in Europe and the first spyshots were posted here on IAB yesterday. Fiat India introduced MY2012 Linea last month with no cosmetic changes that continues as the mainstay model for the rest of 2012. In 2013, there’s a good chance of seeing the new Linea in India.
The new Linea is reportedly gearing up for a premiere at one of the big auto shows in Europe (Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt) this year and by the year-end to grace showrooms.
click through to read on
Fiat India’s CEO Rajeev Kapoor told IndianAutosBlog.com four weeks back that the company will work on facelifts of its current range, without putting a date on it. He categorically stated that 2012 will be reserved exclusively for the MY2012 Punto and Linea to penetrate the market.
Fiat is working on a new retail strategy, which once in place, can leave the product planning team to get creative. Through stand-alone dealer outlets (setup by Tata Motors dealers across 20 cities), Fiat can sell products without any distraction or cannibalization.
click through to read fully
Click on the thumbnail to go read the full story.
Dacia’s finally ready to bring out the Lodgy mini van as seen in this spy video. The Renault-owner Romanian low-price vehicle manufacturer previewed the new arrival a few weeks back using pictures. It will be seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Renault is also eager to produce its version for markets that are out of Dacia’s reach – Should the Lodgy follow the footsteps of the Duster and sneak into India?
Our Brazilian friends at AutosSegredos are at it once again spying the upcoming Fiat Siena as it was driven to the factory yard without camouflage. The new Siena arrives in March with three engine options and Fiat’s dual clutch automatic transmission. Fiat does not have immediate plans to sell the Palio sedan outside South America, though lovers of the Italian brand feel this is THE car for Fiat India.
Hyundai’s sandwiching the i10 and i20 models using the unnamed HB hatchback in Brazil. Auto Esporte has rendered the car’s dashboard using spyshots – its a mix of Elantra and Verna. The HB is almost done with its testing according to reports and breaks cover in the next six months. The package of the i20, space of a premium hatchback at the price just above that of the i2o – is this a winning concoction or what?
For many of us, it’s very hard to stomach down the fact that Fiat with such sparkling cars in the Linea and Punto are back markers in India, one of the world’s largest growth markets. Despite having some gorgeous and all-round brilliant cars in its portfolio, Fiat simply failed to captivate the imagination of Indians. Why? Well, let’s leave this discussion for another day and concentrate on finer bits and Fiat’s newer models.
So, let’s kick off with the news of the brand new Siena that’s ready to set foot in Brazilian roads.
Sure, GM may have taken the crown of the number one manufacturer in the world. But even GM knows that it was only marginally able to pull away from the German Giant – Volkswagen.
VW is planning an onslaught to reach numero uno title and so far things seem to be on track. The group owns few of the most profitable brands such as Porsche, Skoda, Seat and Audi and is expanding its footprint throughout the globe at a breath taking pace.
With VW planning to sell 10 million vehicles annually by 2018, it will be hard for smaller manufacturers like Fiat-Chrysler to sustain themselves in the market. Thus, in order to fight the VW group, Fiat is planning to tie up with France’s PSA Peugeot-Citroen. So far, it seems the only hope for survival.
We followed the Suzuki-VW relationship quite closely right from its inception as we expected great things out of it.
However, things did not go as we would have hoped. If you have been following the auto industry with a keen eye, you are well aware that Suzuki has decided to part ways with VW. The implication of the break up is quite clear – Suzuki has signed an agreement with Fiat for the supply of Fiat’s 1.3-liter Multijet four-cylinder to Maruti Suzuki.
