Fiat India aims to open 80-100 showrooms by end of 2013

Italian carmaker Fiat is out on a mission to take the Indian market by a storm, especially after its break up of distribution pact with Tata Motors. The carmaker has announced that they are aiming to launch close to 80-100 independent showrooms across the country in the next 18 months. The company also hopes to double its market share in the next 2-3 years. 

Fiat India has already approached 40 Tata Motors dealers across the country to create an independent "set-up" for a Fiat brand and the company has already got confirmation from 23 dealers already.

"We are moving to an important milestone with our own exclusive dealers. The volumes will improve gradually and with the complete dedicated approach, the result can be much better," Enrico Anatasio, a senior vice-president with Fiat India said in a statement.

Fiat India sold only 18,000 units in 2011-12 in a market size of over 2 million vehicles with a very miniscule market share of 0.7%. "With a focused dealer network and launch of new variants and brands going ahead, we are aiming to double the market share to 1.5%," says Anatasio.

Fiat India recently introduced the new limited edition Fiat Punto 90HP Sports version in the country for Rs 7.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune) and also inaugurated the second Fiat Caffe in Pune, Maharashtra in order to boost the brand's image, which will be run by Millennium Motors.