Report - Fiat India to open at least 65 outlets by March 2013
Fiat will terminate its ties with Tata Motors by end of March as far as dealerships are concerned and will rely on its exclusive chain of showrooms.
However, Tata dealerships in certain smaller cities will continue to offer service back up until the Fiat network is up and running.
During the inauguration of the Chennai showroom, Mr. Enrico Atanasio, Managing Director of Fiat India (inset) stated that Chennai is a priority since Fiat brand has been performing well in the region. RDC Motors have been in the business of selling automobiles for the past 26 years.
The Italian automaker who is struggling to get a grip of the Indian auto industry, currently has a meager market share of 0.5% and is planning to double it by the end of 2013. Fiat is planning to achieve this by establishing at least 65 dealerships across the country by March 2013, in fact Mr. Atanasio stated the he has already signed as many as 67 letters of intent for new dealerships throughout India.
Fiat already has inaugurated 16 exclusive dealerships so far and Cochin and Thrissur will get a showroom each in the first week of February. With the new exclusive chain of dealerships in place, Fiat is assuring a better after sales experience for both new and existing customers.
The company will commence its financing operations under the Fiat Financial Services banner in April in collaboration with a local financing firm.
The exclusive chain of Fiat outlets are indispensable if at all the car maker's ambitious plans for India has to be realized.