[neverclever]

Fiat India will wait for the green signal from the folks in Italy on the decision to launch the Panda here.

For the time being however, Fiat India says its focus for the next few months will be on the rollout of a customer relationship program rather than on any new launches.

Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Read the whole Business Line story.

[amit]

It's always been known that the panda can come only in 2005 and i feel it's good for fiat. They can use this year to consolidate their position, improve their dealers and the After sales service and maybe increase the numbers of dealers nationwide too. And yea, fire their marketing team and appoint a totally new aggressive one instead. The panda coming in 05 will be a blessing for the company. IF they launch the panda now, who will buy it?

[aadix]

is this the engine thats gonna be used by gm, suzuki and fiat together???

correct me if i am wrong

[lamborghini]

i think so
not entirely sure
but i feel that fiat should use this engine first in themselves and then share it with the remainin ....
anyway amit i gotta agree with u
customer satisfaction is the first priority ......
look at how the santro is sellin even though the palio is better and there is only a marginal diferane in price and FE
the reason is because hyundai knows how to treat its customers

[amit]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]is this the engine thats gonna be used by gm, suzuki and fiat together???

Ya it's Fiat's patented Multi-Jet Diesel or Jet Turbo Diesel engine.

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]but i feel that fiat should use this engine first in themselves and then share it with the remainin ....

I agree with u on this lambo. The JTD is fiat's invention and they should use it first in their own cars. Indian's aren't aware of the auto world scene and if Fiat let's MUL use the JTD first then majority Indian's will believe that MUL made this new engine!

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]look at how the santro is sellin even though the palio is better and there is only a marginal diferane in price and FE

FIat is partly responsible for this. Autocar July has a 6 hatch comparo and chose palio NV as the best. Fiat havn'et come out with a single advert on this. Can u imagine the kinda adverts Hyundai would have come out with if Santro was chosen as the best? God knows what marketing these guys are doing when they can't resort to simple marketing tricks to sell their cars!

[ported_head]

absolutely, the Palio has always been the motoring journalists' favourite car, year after year in every comparo in it's segment, and the FIAT marketing team just happens to ignore the fact every time, if it's oe of the things that can get the people to start buying the Palio if not the only one.
The M-Jet and the JTD engines are brilliant, best recognized doing their job in Alfa Romeos. I feel that only FIAT should be using their own engines, if they are going to start sharing their engines with MUL, the Indian buyers will first look to pick up a MUL car before the FIAT, no matter how much it tones up it's A.S.S.
And, the Panda makes perfect sense in 2005, the company hopefully would have gotten it's act together by then and the Palio D and the Petra are already making a little reputation for themselves. Btw, this month's BSM story on the Petra D mentions the Kurla plant having a Panda and a Multipla running around, so they seem fairly serious about it.

[volkman10]

"FIAT has prepped an all-new Panda, and the high-riding city car is set to make its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 2012 Panda represents the current zenith of the four-wheel-drive compact's evolution. This third-generation Panda features a restyled exterior paired with an updated interior design and a handful of engine choices.

Two new engines join the Panda powerplant family, which brings the total number of available mills to six. The new units are both two-cylinder 900-cc engines equipped with Fiat's Start&Stop system to help cut down on emissions while raising fuel economy. Both engines are TwinAir mills, with one breathing naturally and the other utilizing forced induction by way of a single turbocharger. The non-turbo engine produces 65 horsepower while the turbo version pumps out 85 horses.

The rest of the engine lineup doesn't grow larger than 75-horsepower 1.3-liter Multijet II.

New Fiat Panda, international debut

The new Panda has been created drawing inspiration from the most up-to-date trends. It proposes an elegant restyling of the exteriors with smooth and rounded lines on a volume of regular form and of great spatial efficiency. Its front has a strong personality, where the slightly convex bonnet joins with the elegant horizontal grille and the new front headlamps with a rounded shape, underlined by a separate supplementary element with Daytime Running Lights function.


To welcome the new Panda, a new production line in the "Giambattista Vico" plant in Pomigliano D'Arco (Naples) was built. It is an advanced industrial showcase that fully applies World Class Manufacturing principles and methods. This is a series of processes implemented in Fiat Group plants and those of its suppliers that are aimed at reducing inefficiencies and at achieving "zero accidents, zero faults, zero stock, zero break-downs" goals.




In addition to its quality of construction, the new Panda is also distinctive in the care devoted to selecting materials, the matching and choice of colours, and the interior trims. The result is a quality passenger compartment where everything seen and touched is always pleasant to the eye and touch.

Roominess and comfort at the top of the segment

Offered with five doors only and with roominess worthy of a higher segment, the new Panda proves that it is a real super-compact. Its smaller exterior dimensions in relation to its interior volume are an invaluable feature for a car principally intended to be used in urban areas.

But the new Panda is able to do more. In fact it has all the properties of dynamism and comfort that allow it to easily tackle longer and tougher extra urban routes: driving ease, functional and ergonomic layout of controls and furnishings, a large number of storage compartments, and use of seats with "thin" backrests that improve accessibility and comfort for the rear passengers.
Finally, the position of the gear lever in the centre of the dashboard, the raised seat base and the large windows guarantee driver and passengers excellent visibility and mastery of the road.

The diving dynamics are supported by a tried and tested suspension configuration: MacPherson independent wheel up front and interconnected wheels (semi-independent) with a torsion beam in the rear.

Cutting-edge engines and eco-friendly systems

Functional and reliable, the Fiat Panda is a car rich in substance that boasts cutting-edge engines in terms of both performance and fuel consumption and emissions.

Standing out in the range are the brand new two-cylinder engines: the 85 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo, named "International Engine of the Year 2011", and the 65 HP 0.9 Aspirated TwinAir, both equipped with the Start&Stop system as standard, which temporarily cuts out the engine and restarts it in order to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

The renewed 69 HP 1.2 Fire completes the range of petrol engines available at the launch.
The engineering excellence of the new Panda continues with the 75 HP 1.3 Multijet II with Start&Stop supplied as standard. Belonging to the second generation of the MultiJet family, the engine is equipped with faster injectors capable of multiple injections in rapid sequence.
Specifically, the system can now perform a main modulated injection of fuel in several distinct phases and anticipate the ones that follow. The servo valve with balanced plunger of the MultiJet II system enables it to manage up to 8 injections per cycle, offering greater speed, flexibility and precision in the various phases of operation.

Then the bifuel 80 HP 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Natural Power (petrol/methane) and 69 HP 1.2 EasyPower (petrol/LPG) will follow. They are proof of the constant attention Fiat Automobiles focuses on environmental issues through research and development of easily accessible solutions.

In perfect harmony with the "eco-friendly" spirit, the new Panda also offers the Gear Shift Indicator (GSI), a genuine "co-pilot" that discreetly prompts drivers to change gear, leading to more efficient use of the engine and to reduce fuel consumption.

A Panda for everybody

At its launch, the new model will be available with front-wheel drive - and later the Panda 4x4 will make its debut - and will offer a range made up of: 4 engines, 3 trim levels, 10 body colours, 4 interiors, 2 hub caps and 2 14" and 15" alloy wheels for a total of over 600 combinations.

To ensure the safety of the driver and passengers, the new model has 4 airbags (front and window), ABS complete with BAS (Brake Assist System), front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiter, Isofix attachments for child seats, anti-whiplash front headrests, rear headrests and headlamps with Daytime Running Lights, all supplied as standard.

In addition, the new model offers devices which are exclusive in its category: from the brand new "Blue&Me-TomTom LIVE" and the large transparent electric "Skydome" sun roof to the Hi-Fi system with CD/MP3 player and Dualdrive electric power steering with "City" function as standard.

In particular, to drive in city traffic with total peace of mind the new Panda offers the "Blue&Me TomTom LIVE" device that combines the advantages of an infotainment system which is integrated and connected with those of a portable navigator, opening the doors to connectivity.
"Blue&Me TomTom LIVE" will allow Panda customers to use mobile phones and media players in total safety without ever removing their hands from the steering wheel, and provides an absolutely unique and distinctive navigation experience, built into the dashboard and offering the most accurate traffic information updated in real time.

The automatic Dualogic robotised transmission, in combination with the TwinAir engine, will become available after the launch. In addition, during the first year of sales, an innovative braking system will also become available which, at speeds below 30km/h, is able to detect obstacles at close range and stop automatically.

Lots of versions rich in content will then make it possible for every customer to choose their own made-to-measure Panda, and to then add an additional distinctive and personal touch by choosing packs and Lineaccessori articles from a long list of optional extras.

These features make the new Panda a "big" car that, moreover, has a very high product value thanks to the combination of high contents and reduced running costs."

Fiat previews updated Panda ahead of Frankfurt

[vinya_jag]

This looks more like a Wagon-R sort of a car, with high seating and lots of space inside.
This sure will get a clean 15K cars per month market, and if it could eat up into Wagon R sales, this will easily bring Fiat 4000 cars per month. A never seen before volumes for Fiat.
A Utility car with more substance over style.

But is this car coming to India?

[vinukm]

Originally Posted by vinya_jag

This looks more like a Wagon-R sort of a car, with high seating and lots of space inside.
This sure will get a clean 15K cars per month market, and if it could eat up into Wagon R sales, this will easily bring Fiat 4000 cars per month. A never seen before volumes for Fiat.
A Utility car with more substance over style.

But is this car coming to India?

4K cars per month :( i am not so convinced. Fiat somehow looses the plot inspite of having very good product linup. First of all Fiat should come up with their own show rooms and service center to give a confidence boost to buyers. If i Again go to a tata dealership he will end up trying to convince me for a refreshed Vista rather than a Panda.

Again pricing will make a huge impact as well.

[n:CorE]

This would be ideal for India. We know for a fact that the Fiat 1.3L MJD is a tried and tested motor and is highly potent and is shared across other manufacturers. This engine has done well for them and has shown them sales. Why not benefit from it by fitting it in a car that will blend in really well into the hatchback segment. Good amount of equipment and price it right, this car could be miles ahead of the identical competitor, the WagonR as vinya_jag mentions.

This car could give Fiat a new life in India.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by n:CorE

This would be ideal for India. We know for a fact that the Fiat 1.3L MJD is a tried and tested motor and is highly potent and is shared across other manufacturers.

I guess all are convinced about FIAT's fabulous cars. IMO what FIAT has to do in India is to be on their own with dealers appointed and take a cue from VW, before launching any more vehicles.
They have the LINEA and Punto two very good vehicles, but with dismal sales figures mainly due to reasons cited above.

Cheers!

[ethanhunt123]

Originally Posted by n:CorE

This would be ideal for India. We know for a fact that the Fiat 1.3L MJD is a tried and tested motor and is highly potent and is shared across other manufacturers. This engine has done well for them and has shown them sales. Why not benefit from it by fitting it in a car that will blend in really well into the hatchback segment. Good amount of equipment and price it right, this car could be miles ahead of the identical competitor, the WagonR as vinya_jag mentions.

This car could give Fiat a new life in India.

Wasnt similiar stuff said and valid about Punto & Linea ? They are brilliant products in a lot of ways but dismal sales numbers due to a number of factors. Take for example the case of a recent thread where a BHPian has been wanting to buy a Linea and dealer/Fiat is not ready to sell him a new vehicle at all. Add to it the horrible A.S.S. reputation, -a friend of mine just took off Punto from his hatch shopping list due to his dad's horrid experiences with Palio (stood in garage for 4 months due to lack of spares).

As a lot of people have said on the forum before, problem is not Fiat's products. They are as good/as bad as the competiton. Its the dealer/Service aspect where Maruti/Hyundai et all just blow them away. Fix that and they will get a lot more than 4k units a month with current portfolio.

[girishglg]

Talk about slotting it in our market and it looks like it will be a direct competitor to Ritz (check out the interior pics in the earlier links especially the gear stalks) more than the Wagon R. Any way it a good chunk of market that is looking for a tall boy with ease of ingress and egress and loads of practicality. Way to go Fiat, the Panda shows character and good design cues and looks well built. Love tallboys from the age of the good old Amby (if we can call it so with similarities in practicality)

Fiat please do not lose the plot again. At least start with exclusive showrooms in the 12 metro / A class cities where majority of sales happen (there were some talks around exclusive dealerships). These sale counters should be a class act in terms of sales experience/ servicing and ambience much like their products. Hoping positively that this wish becomes a reality soon.

[n:CorE]

I did forget to mention about their horrid A.S.S, I have read a lot about it across the forum, it just slipped out of my mind. If you go to see the Linea & the Punto are really great products. They have to strengthen existing customer relations and make sure they are painting the right picture in front of the potential customers. They don't even have individual dealerships, they're in a tie up with Tata. Maybe, the 1st step could be individual brand existence?

[nkrishnap]

The Panda seems to be the most sensible car to be included in the portfolio. What would it cost. they should not do cost cutting and end with TATA heritage.

By the way, I always wonder how people who do not own Fiat talk about the service provided. Which cars are they getting serviced at the FIAT A.S.S which I am very keen on knowing.

I can share a lot of horror stories/experiences about the other so called super A.S.S providers.

Anyways, as always, Fiat will miss the buss this time too.