Fiat UNO. The name gradually disappeared silently in the maze of automotive development and innovation.
However, many still remember the UNO for all the good reasons. The car had a class, a presence and a character added to it. The UNO was brought to India as Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi Knocked Down (SKD) units. The UNO was another example of an internationally acclaimed car failing miserably in India.
So did the car deserves better? What led to the UNO’s downfall and eventually Fiat’s? What made the UNO a car relatively likeable and yet unsuccessful?
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Engine | Fiat UNO
Under the bonnet of the UNO lay a 1697 cc diesel engine generating 58 bhp. The Fiat UNO engine was known for its peppy pickup. The decently powered engine produced a torque of 100 Nm @ 2900 rpm. Its engine had a decent mileage of 15 kmpl in city driving conditions. Delivery of the diesel engine was good enough for a drive around in the city and had the Fiat touch.
The suspensions of the car spoke of quality. Suspensions and the ride quality of the Fiat UNO could’ve put many cars to shame. UNO’s suspensions allowed it to overcome the bigger bumps with ease. The handling of the car was infamous for understeer. Turning the Fiat UNO took some serious efforts.
Design | Fiat UNO
The car took you to the carefree and evolving era of the 80s. Fiat launched the car in India in the 1990s, but globally, it already made its mark in 1983. Hence, the 80s touch was carried on into a new decade. The length of the Fiat UNO was 3690 mm, the width of 1560 mm, and the car stood at a height of 1420 mm. The wheelbase of the UNO stood at 2360 mm with 13-inch tyres.
On the aesthetic front, the car didn’t get any points. The car was rather plain on the outside. But that’s what attracted many. Simplistic and minimalism was the theme of the car. Most people did accept it for good.
Interior | Fiat UNO
The interiors of the car were simple but top-notch. As for any other elements of the car, the interiors were good. The iThe vehicle’s interior was sturdy enough to sustain years’ worth of wear and tear. A simple, no-nonsense dashboard gave way to optimum space—a few dials and knobs in the front were accessible by a one-hand reach. The hollowed headrests were unique and added a little quirk to an otherwise simple car.
At the back, the space was quite impressive. The seats allowed for three full-size adults to sit comfortably without any issues. Moreover, the 270-litre boot space at the back was a boon for all the storage and requirements. The overall simplistic theme of the car was evident everywhere.
A Game Not Well Played | Fiat UNO
The UNO is not the one to blame here. It did a great job. The car could drive through the Indian markets like a boss. It had all the necessary aspects of being a top-selling car in the country. The overall strategy of FIAT for the Indian market and repeated wrong moves made the car and, eventually, the company suffer. A top-selling carmaker worldwide, failing miserably in India was not something new.
According to some reports, it was even deduced that Fiat sold all the UNOs in India at a huge loss. We’re talking about a 100 % loss here. The detail was revealed in a case between Fiat and the Excise Department.
According to most of the owners, the maintenance detested them from buying a Fiat. The tedious and exorbitantly priced service made the consumers move away from Fiat. Certain sources reveal that Fiat tends to cover up for profits through service and maintenance, which explains the high price of services and maintenance of Fiat cars.
Fiat didn’t make the right moves back then. The carmaker did try to revive its brand again and again but couldn’t do so for good.
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Conclusion
The Italians are known for their cars around the world. Some of the most soulful cars come from Italy and are loved worldwide. Maybe, Fiat couldn’t replicate that level of soulfulness over here.
While it did fail miserably on the manufacturing front, its engines did receive some praise. Most of the Maruti cars source their engines from Fiat. What could’ve been a successful market for the company turned out to be a ‘Things Not To Do’ rulebook.
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