Fiat 500 in April 08 !!!

Thad E Ginathom · 20th February 2008, 16:48

Cult car is not the same thing as status car.

The original mini was possibly the biggest ever cult car, and one of the biggest things about it was it made car ownership affordable to more people.

Skoda --- well, enough said on that one.

Mercedes --- is indeed a status car the world over, although slightly less in its own country where many work-horse taxis are Mercs.

Mentioning Skoda in the same breath as Mercedes would probably horrify most Merc drivers!

Adding Fiat might well cause a stream of invective that would sound just right in Italian

Not that Fiat haven't made good cars, but hey, Ford have made good cars!

vasudeva · 20th February 2008, 17:05

Frankly, I am willing to consider a mini compact car that has good aggregates and quality even at above 10 lakhs. That was till recently the Mini Cooper.

How many people in India would (a) pay more than 10 lakhs for a small car (b) pay for a Fiat. Result: it may be a micro-market car.

RROD · 20th February 2008, 17:29

Fiat 500 is a lifestyle car,i still dont see a point in why people are discussing about the high price tag.
When clearly Fiat themselves are targeting a niche market.

I would really like to see a Maruti 800 lifestyle product though, now that would sell like hot cake, atleast in the lifestyle segment of the car market.

RROD · 20th February 2008, 17:36

Car of the year 2008

http://www.fiat-india.com/Fiat_News/....aspx?NewsId=9

codemarauder · 20th February 2008, 17:55

I have seen this car in flesh on my recent trip to Zurich. It looks wonderful and i could not stop turning my head for this cutie beauty.

One needs to watch it running on the road to admire. I even walked a lot to find a Fiat showroom (autoitalia.it) and managed to have a good walk around it.

Seen a lot of the beauties from Fiat's stable there - Panda, Punto, Sedici and Alfa-Romeo. I still repent not carrying a camera with me at that time

. Offtopic but Fiat Sedici looks a lot more macho than SX4.

I have no qualms about its pricing as Fiat wants to sell it as a cult car and not something like an Alto.

1100D · 20th February 2008, 22:47

Cult car would be a more suitable phrase rather than status.

There will not be many buyers and not that Fiat is expecting it to sell in decent numbers. Its an option for residents of India to get it without involving themselves into any scams.

The other carmakers could see this route for bringing in their own "cult" cars.

As far as Fiat brand image is concerned. Believe me, it has some, otherwise with zero marketing, their cars wouldn't be passionately waited for. With almost zero support their cars wouldn't be passionately cared for, be it the early elegant or the current Stile. No other carmaker that has seen India has seen this kind of passion and that too far so many decades, without the brand itself doing something about it (apart from launching a few objects of affection once in a millenium).

Thad E Ginathom · 21st February 2008, 01:03

"Lifestyle" --- that's the new word for overpriced rip-off, is it?

finneyp · 21st February 2008, 01:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

"Lifestyle" --- that's the new word for overpriced rip-off, is it?

What about VW Beetle? If launched in India, it will be priced around 15 lacs.

Is this overpriced rip-off too?

1100D · 21st February 2008, 02:39

All these appear to be rip-offs mainly because of the tax structure regarding CBU's. Even earlier, people imported a few cinquecento's and beetles here and there. The pricing of those would have been stratospheric in comparison to what was available then. Still did not stop them.

Ignazio · 21st February 2008, 03:56

Hi all,
your price for a Cinquecento in India is twice the italian price!!!
You can buy a 1.3 MJD for 15000 euro! I think is a tax problem...
But is a beautiful little car, friend of mine has 1.2 petrol white, delicious!
I also have seen near my home a ABARTH (great sport brand) with some camouflage going around for testing, really nice!!!
Do not forget that the Italians are about 60 millions, the Indians I guess around 1 billion (am I correct?), so it is maybe possible that they can sell more pieces in India than Italy! Think, in Italy about 10% of population can afford to buy a new car, if, of this 0.5% buy a Cinquecento 30000 cars is the result...
In India I do not know, but if 1% of a billion people can buy a car, is 10 Million potential customers, if 0,1% of this people buy a Cinquecento we are talking of 10000 cars!!! Not surprised then that Fiat will sell Cinquecento in India!
Am I wrong?

Ciao ciao!cheers:

Ignazio

deepakhon · 21st February 2008, 06:05

@Ignazio,

The equation is not that simple in India because of the following reasons:
1. The brand Fiat has taken a huge beating because of its own foolishness.
2. As you have rightly pointed out, it is too pricey for a hatchback in India. People in India believe in value for money and they would want a sedan with lot of gizmos thrown in for the money Fiat is asking for 500. People in Europe will take it, as they are not too biased with sedans. But, the number of people in India who will buy this car, however beautiful it is, will be really less.
3. Fiat is planning to introduce 500 more as a brand building exercise and they themselves are not too optimistic about the sales. Apparently, Fiat is planning to carefully select the customers for 500.

With all these in mind, no one, including Fiat, is actually expecting so much of sales for 500.

shuvd · 21st February 2008, 07:19

For a low volume - life style product, 13L seems okay.
Daayuum! If I had that kind of money, I would gladly get me self the Abarth!

deepakhon · 21st February 2008, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuvd

For a low volume - life style product, 13L seems okay.
Daayuum! If I had that kind of money, I would gladly get me self the Abarth!

I think Abarth should come as a separate brand in India. There might be some takers for their tuned cars.

amtak · 21st February 2008, 11:13

I wish I earned so much to buy this car

Some day You'll can spot me in one!

diabloo · 21st February 2008, 11:53

After having failed to sell their cars, Fiat's marketing division came up with the term 'Life Style' to explain their failure. So,
Press Reporter: Why are Fiat sales bad?
Fiat Marketing Executive: Fiat products are 'Life Style' .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

"Lifestyle" --- that's the new word for overpriced rip-off, is it?

Why would a seller select his customers? Anybody who pays gets the product.
Do you have a feeling that Fiat is planning to 'gift' this to selected people?

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepakhon

Apparently, Fiat is planning to carefully select the customers for 500.

Can Fiat generated the money spent on a celebrity?

Quote:

Originally Posted by amtak

OT: Who should be the ideal brand ambassador for the FIAT of the next generation?

20th February 2008, 16:48	#61
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 10,990 Thanked: 26,379 Times	Cult car is not the same thing as status car. The original mini was possibly the biggest ever cult car, and one of the biggest things about it was it made car ownership affordable to more people. Skoda --- well, enough said on that one. Mercedes --- is indeed a status car the world over, although slightly less in its own country where many work-horse taxis are Mercs. Mentioning Skoda in the same breath as Mercedes would probably horrify most Merc drivers! Adding Fiat might well cause a stream of invective that would sound just right in Italian Not that Fiat haven't made good cars, but hey, Ford have made good cars!
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 17:05	#62
vasudeva Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,221 Thanked: 212 Times	Frankly, I am willing to consider a mini compact car that has good aggregates and quality even at above 10 lakhs. That was till recently the Mini Cooper. How many people in India would (a) pay more than 10 lakhs for a small car (b) pay for a Fiat. Result: it may be a micro-market car.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 17:29	#63
RROD BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bengalooru Posts: 256 Thanked: 152 Times	Fiat 500 is a lifestyle car,i still dont see a point in why people are discussing about the high price tag. When clearly Fiat themselves are targeting a niche market. I would really like to see a Maruti 800 lifestyle product though, now that would sell like hot cake, atleast in the lifestyle segment of the car market.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 17:36	#64
RROD BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bengalooru Posts: 256 Thanked: 152 Times	Car of the year 2008 http://www.fiat-india.com/Fiat_News/....aspx?NewsId=9
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 17:55	#65
codemarauder BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 110 Thanked: 7 Times	I have seen this car in flesh on my recent trip to Zurich. It looks wonderful and i could not stop turning my head for this cutie beauty. One needs to watch it running on the road to admire. I even walked a lot to find a Fiat showroom (autoitalia.it) and managed to have a good walk around it. Seen a lot of the beauties from Fiat's stable there - Panda, Punto, Sedici and Alfa-Romeo. I still repent not carrying a camera with me at that time . Offtopic but Fiat Sedici looks a lot more macho than SX4. I have no qualms about its pricing as Fiat wants to sell it as a cult car and not something like an Alto.
	() Thanks

20th February 2008, 22:47	#66
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,079 Times View My Garage	Cult car would be a more suitable phrase rather than status. There will not be many buyers and not that Fiat is expecting it to sell in decent numbers. Its an option for residents of India to get it without involving themselves into any scams. The other carmakers could see this route for bringing in their own "cult" cars. As far as Fiat brand image is concerned. Believe me, it has some, otherwise with zero marketing, their cars wouldn't be passionately waited for. With almost zero support their cars wouldn't be passionately cared for, be it the early elegant or the current Stile. No other carmaker that has seen India has seen this kind of passion and that too far so many decades, without the brand itself doing something about it (apart from launching a few objects of affection once in a millenium). Last edited by 1100D : 20th February 2008 at 22:52.
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 01:03	#67
Thad E Ginathom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 10,990 Thanked: 26,379 Times	"Lifestyle" --- that's the new word for overpriced rip-off, is it?
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 02:39	#69
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,079 Times View My Garage	All these appear to be rip-offs mainly because of the tax structure regarding CBU's. Even earlier, people imported a few cinquecento's and beetles here and there. The pricing of those would have been stratospheric in comparison to what was available then. Still did not stop them.
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 03:56	#70
Ignazio BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Turin-Italy Posts: 128 Thanked: 3 Times	Hi all, your price for a Cinquecento in India is twice the italian price!!! You can buy a 1.3 MJD for 15000 euro! I think is a tax problem... But is a beautiful little car, friend of mine has 1.2 petrol white, delicious! I also have seen near my home a ABARTH (great sport brand) with some camouflage going around for testing, really nice!!! Do not forget that the Italians are about 60 millions, the Indians I guess around 1 billion (am I correct?), so it is maybe possible that they can sell more pieces in India than Italy! Think, in Italy about 10% of population can afford to buy a new car, if, of this 0.5% buy a Cinquecento 30000 cars is the result... In India I do not know, but if 1% of a billion people can buy a car, is 10 Million potential customers, if 0,1% of this people buy a Cinquecento we are talking of 10000 cars!!! Not surprised then that Fiat will sell Cinquecento in India! Am I wrong? Ciao ciao!cheers: Ignazio
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 06:05	#71
deepakhon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,441 Thanked: 65 Times	@Ignazio, The equation is not that simple in India because of the following reasons: 1. The brand Fiat has taken a huge beating because of its own foolishness. 2. As you have rightly pointed out, it is too pricey for a hatchback in India. People in India believe in value for money and they would want a sedan with lot of gizmos thrown in for the money Fiat is asking for 500. People in Europe will take it, as they are not too biased with sedans. But, the number of people in India who will buy this car, however beautiful it is, will be really less. 3. Fiat is planning to introduce 500 more as a brand building exercise and they themselves are not too optimistic about the sales. Apparently, Fiat is planning to carefully select the customers for 500. With all these in mind, no one, including Fiat, is actually expecting so much of sales for 500.
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 07:19	#72
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 7 Times View My Garage	For a low volume - life style product, 13L seems okay. Daayuum! If I had that kind of money, I would gladly get me self the Abarth!
	() Thanks

21st February 2008, 11:13	#74
amtak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai - The city of Sea Link!!! Posts: 2,914 Thanked: 899 Times View My Garage	I wish I earned so much to buy this car Some day You'll can spot me in one!
	() Thanks