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-   -   Fiat Panda Hatchback 1.3 Multijet (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/4776-fiat-panda-hatchback-1-3-multijet-4.html)

Even if the Panda is introduced in India, it may be by 2014 or earliest by late 2013. If you search the forum there is news that Fiat is seriously thinking about introducing the JEEP brand SUV's by end of 2013. There is no news about the Panda at present.

Do not expect much action from Fiat for the next 18 months, they are in the process of consolidating their dealership network first, which is expected by March-April 2013. Only after the dealership network is set-up Fiat will consider for any new launches.

However, I don't have any authentic information on the subject.

Sommos, i have read on yahoo news and it says, Fiat is planning to get the Jeep Cherokee to india imported as pkd, the price would be close to 40 Lakhs. If the demand goes up, then they might go for localization and go by the CKD way (CKD way would cost much less when compared to PKD). :deadhorse

As we all know, if the vehicle is overpriced in the begining, it ought to fail. The very best example would be the case of Tata Aria.

I believe, this is the wrong step that they are taking. If they are really interested to bring the Jeep Cherokee, Do some decent amount of localization and place it in the XUV bracket. This might help as jeep is a new brand and Fiat has no Brand value. Reliability issues :). These are my personal opinions. Not intended to hurt anyone.

Sir, my knowledge is limited to various articles that I've read in the automags etc. So I am not in a position to comment on the strategy of Fiat.

What I understand is that Jeep Cherokee (when introduced in India) will be a premium SUV and will compete with the likes of Land Rover Freelander 2, Toyota Prado, Mitsubishi Montero, Audi Q3.

I personally feel that Fiat requires some mass product to turn it's fortune in India.

Going through the reviews of Panda 4X4 multijet it appears that it is more valuable for hilly and snow bound roads.Also the 4X4 version which has electronic stability control and electronic differential lock contol + torque on demand feature will have surely very high production cost.

Again introducing 4X2 version in India would not make much sense. So I am now sceptical that Panda 4X4 could be introduced in India. I think I should be contented with country made massive SUV like Sumo Gold which has though more fuel consumption but less initial cost can easily serve purposes.

Visited a Tata-Fiat showroom today to test drive the punto. The sales personnel said Fiat is planning to launch the Panda by mid 2013. Pricing will be below the punto range.

Also expected is a shorter version of the linea like the Indigo C.S. type. A 5 seater SUV is also in the offing.

^^ I highly doubt if Panda can be placed below Punto.

I believe it would be below the Skoda Yeti in pricing. Saw a website sometime back which did a comparo between the two (Yeti and Panda), which also discussed the international pricing. Yeti was a wee bit costlier than the Panda (in the European markets I think).

Anyways, if FIAT can place it below Punto, I will be the happiest!!! :)

Cheers!

Panda if sold in INDIA can have a wide price range.
It can be sold with 2 engine options, 2 cyl twin air 85bhp, and the MJD.

Again they can have a 2 wheel drive variant as well since it will be cheaper, they have a Treking variant which is a 2WD variant but with the same GC as 4WD panda.

Thus Panda range can start below punto and go above it for certain variants.

But FIAT has to hurry up since Ecosport is coming soon.

If Panda 4X4 with MJD is launched in few months I will certainly opt for that. My expierence with 1.3 L MJD engine has been pleasent and for a solo passenger there could not be a better 4X4 car.

The F(ront)WD Panda can be easily placed under Punto (although the difference won't be much IMO).

But, a Linea CS is not possible, as it won't serve any purpose. The Punto (which shares platform with Linea) is almost 4m long, which implies there is no possibility of under 4m sedan based on this platform.

5-seater SUV... did he mention (Dodge) Calibre by any chance.

These are very heartening news for all Fiat fans.
Will be eargerly waiting for the new launches from Fiat. Panda in different variants maybe one (as is being confirmed by some members) and what else in the SUV / sedan segment ?

But I remember having read somewhere in this forum comments by a member of the Fiat R&D center at Chennai that no new launches are planned for 2013.

The 4X4 Panda is a capable machine... sort of mini Land Rover Discovery, without using its prowess on road. Here are tow articles n review the machine:

Autocar UK - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...da-4x4-twinair

Autoexpress UK - http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/fiat/pa...fiat-panda-4x4

IMO this should be launched in both guises (fwd & 4WD) in India.

Sommos, Nothing to be taken personal. Just my 2 cents.
Only Volumes can give you Trust, Reliability, and last but not the least Profits.
Every brand wants to have the above three qualities in their products.

If Cherokee is launched and if it competes with products like Fortuner, Landrover or Audi, then jeep wont be able to make any penetration.

Audi is an AUDI....
Toyota's reliability is a bench mark, which couldnt be broken by a brand like Honda in these many years. So forget about Jeep reaching that level of reliability.
Land rover, I have seen Evoque in person. no other car can beat its looks. i dont want to say much as LR has some weaknesses.

So when Cherokee is placed in that segment, it can't dent any of the above brands, and the other important thing is that, The volumes are low in this segment. so low profits + PKD prices are high + No service availability.

When you are not denting any brand & when you wont be able to sell volumes ==> you wont be making any profits + You dont have any service centres ===> you are in LOSS again ==> why are you trying to Compete at a higher price by taking risk lol:

Let us see it in a different way.
If FIAT can launch the Cherokee with some cost cutting & Localization and place it in XUV range. The volumes would definitely be better.
There are not too many reliable products in this segment. XUV has its own niggles. Aria is Dead. Yeti is good but no volumes. Innova.. Toyota, so you cant dent much but you can try here because, more volumes, so more cross shopping will definitely happen. so Cherokee would gain volumes.

Even though the initial risk is more, the returns would be better. my 2 cents.

The above reviews are of petrol version. I guess Fiat Panda 4X4 for India is with 1.3 L MJD version.

I am optimistic about the Panda FWD coming to India, but not sure how how will Fiat position the 4WD in India. IMO this could be one of few small (micro) SUVs that fail in India because of the brand.

However, I believe this is a formidable small car even in the FWD guise (much capable of attracting customers over its sibling Punto).

What make sense for Fiat will be the regular Panda, which can easily fit in a segment below the Punto, and fight it out with the likes of Honda Brio. If marketed well, this car can be like what the Figo is for Ford India.