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HomeFeatured ArticlesFCA Cars & Automobiles | When Italy Meets India

FCA Cars & Automobiles | When Italy Meets India

FCA cars are known worldwide. Fiat Chrysler is not a new name. Over a long lifespan of more than a century, the carmaker has achieved much worldwide. After producing some amazing machines and acquiring the names like Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati and Alfa Romeo, Fiat became a force to be reckoned with.

After achieving all of that, Fiat decided to come to India. A market that was opening up and welcoming brands from other lands. In 1997 Fiat placed its foot here. Seeing the market growing and newer cars coming in, Fiat was confident.

So, did it get what it wanted to do? Why did Fiat fail to make a mark in India, after receiving success all over the world? Let’s read and find out about yet another case of an international brand trying to make it big in India.

Also Read: Fiat UNO | The Numero Uno Supermini

Ciao India: Fiat Enters India

In 1997, Fiat entered the Indian markets. Seeing the response other Asian carmakers were getting, Fiat was fairly confident. It had the name, the quality and the products. So, it started its operations in its Ranjangaon plant in Maharashtra.

The company decided to have humble beginnings. So, it decided to produce the 124, the 1100 and the Uno models in the beginning. These products were manufactured by the Premier Automobiles. The Premier Padmini went on to become an actual competitor to the HM Ambassador back then.

Premier had signed an agreement back in 1952, with Fiat to manufacture the India version of Fita 1100. It was in 1997, that Premier decided to sell its entire stakes to Fiat.

So, it seemed like Fiat knew the market well even before it entered it. Keeping this in mind it moved ahead with the strategy ahead.

India Meets Italy: Tata and Fiat Joint Venture

Fiat decided to shake hands with Tata Motors in October 2007. Before the joint venture, it had already come up with the Palio, Uno and the Siena in the Indian markets. This joint venture gave the popular 1.3-litre Multijet engine to India. The engine was a result of the JV between the companies. It has done duty in cars like the Tata Manza, Fiat Palio, Fiat Grande Punto and the Tata Vista to name some.

The partnership also catered to Maruti Suzuki in India. Maruti Suzuki India uses this engine in cars like Ciaz, Ritz, S-Cross, D-Zire, and the Baleno.

The partnership further went ahead to make Multijet II Turbo diesel engines. These engines were fitted in the Jeep Compass and the Tata Harrier.

The arrival of the Jeep: FCA Cars in India

In 2016, Fiat decided to make a big move. It decided to bring in the Jeep brand into India, At first, FCA cars that were coming too India were the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Wrangler, and the SRT version of Grand Cherokee.

Apart from this, Jeep decided to play its cards right. The company decided to manufacture the India-centric Jeep Compass from its Pune based plant. This plant went on to become the hub of exports for the Compass to Australia, UK, Japan, Brunei and South Africa.

Suggested For You: Premier Padmini (Fiat 1100D): India’s Most Loved Family Car

Jeep In, Fiat Out

Jeep Compass | FCA Cars India
Jeep Compass | FCA Cars India

 

Jeep was doing well for itself in India, thanks to the Compass. However, the Fiat line of vehicles had to bid adieu to India. In February 2019, Fiat decided to pull the plug on the Fiat line of models.

The company said, that the line of cars such as the Linea and the Punto will not be able to meet the safety norms.

What Went Wrong With FCA in India?

Fiat Palio | A Hot Hatch from the 2000s
Fiat Palio | A Hot Hatch from the 2000s

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles decided to capture the Indian market. But did it really want to? It didn’t seem so.

If you see the India line up of the brand in India, it is rather sad. The company launched a total of 4 to 5 models in the country for the Indian market in its 15 years history. So, lack of innovation might be the reason? Maybe. The company at first, didn’t seem interested in making a mark on the Indian market. It launched a model, tried selling it and it eventually died a slow death.

Fiat does have a great line of vehicles in the European markets. Ironically, these cars in fact make complete sense to be launched in India. The only reason carmakers like Hyundai survived the tumultuous Indian market was a larger number of models, with a varying price range. No matter, what you say, we Indians love variety. Apparently, Fiat didn’t.

However, it isn’t all gloomy. The engines from Fiat turned out to be a success. The MultiJet engine from Fiat did wonders for carmakers like Maruti and Tata. So, is Fiat itself to be blamed for the debacle? As of now, it seems so.

You Might Also Like: Fiat Palio | A Hot Hatch from the 2000s

Martand Mishra
Martand Mishrahttps://gomechanic.in/blog
Content Aficionado (basically loves everything content) | The original Top Gear cannot be replaced | Avid reader

1 COMMENT

  1. When its launched fiat car in India back to my India please fiat come back to India its so lovely car in almost fiat car is so lovely car 🚗 so please come back to India

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