[BUSA]

According to ACI, New Palio will be launched next year. So i dont think in any circumstances Fiat will be leaving.

[deepakhon]

The new ACI was probably printed before all these rumours started appearing. Infact, Hormudz, the editor of ACI also hosts an auto show in CNBC, which was the first to show the caption that Fiat India is shutting shop.

I have a copy of the october edition of ACI and that shows that new palio along with idea will be introduced in India next year.

[RX135]

@deepakhon, for all we know, they might have some exit plan ready for its customers as well. But what really sucks is their ability to respond quickly and effectively. The news is floating around for a week now, but there is not comprehensive press release from Fiat India.

[Abhay]

News in ToI today abt Castagna resigning as MD of Fiat India...didnt he take over only 2/3 months ago? sorry if this has been posted already.

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

According to the dealer:
1) The current MD is going back because of non-performance.

.............snip-snip..............

Hmmmm ... why cant they hire Indian managers for heaven's sake?

Wonder what he didnt or DID do in 3 months to be so assessed, and yeah I agree with the last observation.

[typeOnegative]

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Wonder what he didnt or DID do in 3 months to be so assessed,

I really don't know. Was a bit taken aback by that. But I guess that he may not have been to happy with a power sharing with the Tatas. That is if it is true the Tatas are going to manage the production. Whatever, only time will tell.

[shuvc]

I recall reading (probably ET) that he was not happy since he was not involved by the Fiat Management in the FIAT - TATA negotiations/deals ..

[AvinashKeezh]

Originally Posted by shuvc

I recall reading (probably ET) that he was not happy since he was not involved by the Fiat Management in the FIAT - TATA negotiations/deals ..

that's news shuvc...
he prolly was brought into india to try to get things on track.. and if he was left out of a major alliance deal, it is but obvious that he's gonnna feel frustrated !!!!
this seems to be one of the most documented scenarios of a company in doldrums ....

[pt22]

I agree with .To infuse new life they should induct indian brains & blood in the thinkung process.
tushar

[shuvc]

There you go .. that was the ET article ..

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/1246112.cms

[amit]

Sources said the Indian subsidiary is likely to close down operations in India

Even the newspapers don't know what exactly is going to happen. First business standard reported that Palio production is likely to be shifted to the TATA plant and now ET reports that the Indian subsidiary is llikely to close down operations and shift manufacturing to TATA. No one knows the facts. All that we have been reading are likely and may.
Fiat and TATA have NOT signed any global alliance from what I know. They have signed a MOU to explore areas where they can work to-gether. If either of the two feel that their alliance is not going to work then they are free to walk away. What will Fiat do if they pull out of India and tata pulls out of the alliance later.

Sources indicate that D Phillipe is likely to take over as the new MD.

Why is a new MD coming if Fiat wants to pull out? I wonder if the Fiat Spa CEO knows whats going on!
And yea, I'd like to know who these sources are who keep giving "likely and may" happen news.

[vipul_singh]

Whether or not the Palio remains to get serviced in India depends on which of the two scenarios works out:

a. production of FIAT models continues in the Tata plant, and they are badged and sold as FIAT cars.
b. Tata badge engineers FIATs and sells them under its own name.

In scenario (a.), it would be impertative that service would be provide to the Palios either through the Tata network, or through whatever network the new FIATs are sold. Else, it would become impossible to sell any new cars.

In scenario (b.), I think it is unrealistic to think that the Palio would continue to get serviced, since Tata would hardly have anything to gain from it.

In my opinion, scenario (b.) is more likely since the FIAT name is down in the dumps, and Tata is one of, or perhaps *the* strongest name in India, despite the decidedly second grade cars they make.

If that indeed happens, FIAT must, for their own name, retain a parts network in the country or else it would become almost impossibe for them to ever return to this country under their own name.

If anyone has any information on which of the two scenarios is going to happen, it would solve an important part of the mystery.

[hell_rider]

Originally Posted by amit

Why is a new MD coming if Fiat wants to pull out?

that happens often when a MNC for e.g. decides to pull out. They send it a person with the designation of the highest ranking executive. His job usually is very specific. Wind up, clean up ASAP and with minimum of expense and fuss. The high-profile desig is to ensure he has the authority to go about his task.

Though, of course, we do not know for sure if this is the case here. matter of fact, we do not anything for sure with respect to any case concerning fiat at the moment. fiat's self-imposed gag order is not helping. the tatas are being equally tight lipped. add to that the endless speculation by fiat's detractors and fans alike. its frustrating.

and slightly off topic...

1. how many forum members here are fiat owners ? i know cream, typeonegative, rx135, satish_appasani, hasopi, deepakhon, rahul_md off the top of my head....but whats the exact count ?
2. how many other fiat owners do these forum-members know who are not members on this forum ?

[hellspawn]

i seriously dont know whats wrong wid fiat..they make such beautiful small cars.all over europe fiat's small cars win awards and accolades from everybody.y cant they bring those cars here even though it will cost them a lot of investment.y r they still stuck on palios,petras.every year they just launch a new version on the same platform.what was the need to launch the adventure when they knew it has no buyers.....who wants to drive an estate.they get happy wenever journalists and people say that fiat makes good cars but what happens when people go out to buy a car...they head to the nearest maruti or hyundai dealerships.their good cars is not translating into good money....i dont even remember wen i saw their last advertisement.i bought a siena cos i knew of its strengths (the only weakness being f.e.).even a ford ikon1.6 costs the same as a petra,gives identical f.e figures.spares are as costly,service is also not wat u call upto the mark,spares r not easily available but u still c so many ikon1.6 on the road....fiat u listening,plz get over the palios and the petras and rope in new cars......atleast hire a good brand ambassador if nothing else.....i

[k_ajay]

A reshuffle, and pretty damn soon at that...!! What does this mean for Fiat in India?????


MUMBAI: Fiat India's recently appointed managing director, Paolo Castagna, is headed back home after facilitating the global alliance between Fiat SpA and Tata Motors. Castagna took over as MD from Alberto Montanari on June 1, even before the latter's term ended.

Castagna stepped down from the post and will be replaced by Giovanni De Filippis beginning October 1. Fiat India board, mean while has accepted Castagna's resignation.

He, however, continues to remain the MD of Fiat India Automobiles, the holding company of the Fiat India.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a...ow/1246034.cms