Italian car manufacturer Fiat is planning to add 125 new dealership to its network in India by the end of 2013. This move from the car maker is an attempt to realise its target of acquiring 5 per cent market share in the Indian automotive industry by next three years. According to the Head, Sales and Network, Fiat Group Automobiles India, Ravi Bhatia, “We will have about 125 partners by end of this calendar year (2013) but the facilities active will be 100 and we will be covering 70 per cent of the market.”
To reinforce its position in the country, where there are already many leading automobile brands, Fiat Group is planning to expand its dealership network, which comprises 54 outlets at present. The car maker is intent on developing its brand image and launching innovative models in the Indian market to race ahead in the competition.
President and Managing Director, Fiat Chrysler (India), Nagesh Basavanhalli, said, “Fiat India is aggressively focusing on increasing its footprint in India and this (opening of dealership) launch is in continuation of rapid expansion strategy.”
Fiat Group recently signed off its distribution agreement with the Tata Motors and is hopeful of gaining 5 per cent market share through the network expansion and new launches in pipeline. The car maker, which is currently at 1 per cent of market share, witnessed a dip in its sales from 16,000 units to 6000 units during the year 2012. However, there are nine new launches in the pipeline spanning across jeep, hatchback and sedan segments. All these new launches will hit the Indian roads in upcoming three or four years.
