Stellantis considering Fiat India relaunch
The Jeep and Citroen parent company, Stellantis, plans to reintroduce the Fiat brand in India. Fiat Chrysler Automobile India used to operate in India but ceased operations due to low sales volumes and growing competition for its vehicles. Stellantis' STLA M platform, which was unveiled earlier this month, is probably going to be used to reintroduce the Fiat nameplate to India.
Stellantis is placing a lot of faith in the STLA M platform, which will also give birth to new Fiat models, globally. As a result, Fiat can easily introduce its own vehicles based on the same platform with little expenditure thanks to a platform that is already in place and serving sister brands, such as Jeep and Citroen in India.
Billy Hayes, Senior Vice President of Stellantis, disclosed during a media interaction that the business is not only reevaluating the Fiat brand for India, but is also taking other brands into consideration, such as Alfa Romeo. Hayes further underlined that Jeep and Citroen would continue to be the group's main priorities. Although there are currently no firm plans, he continued, the topic of bringing Fiat back to India has been brought up in a number of conversations.
The STLA M is the first of four international platforms focused on BEVs that will support a variety of upcoming models from various Stellantis brands. Because it is a modular platform, it can support a wide range of vehicles. The platform will support models with front-, rear-, or four-wheel drive (4WD). Sedans, crossovers, and SUVs may all be built on the STLA M platform because of its versatility.
One of Stellantis' fourteen brands, Fiat, commands a large market share in the world's auto industry. The A-segment's best-selling hatchback is the electrified Fiat 500. According to the manufacturer, the model has already had great success in Japan.
Currently, Citroen's launch of the C3 Aircross is quite important for the brand in the Indian market. The C3 Aircross, which competes against vehicles like the Hyundai Creta, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Skoda Kushaq and MG Astor among others, is entering the fiercely competitive mid-size SUV market in India.
Soouce - Economic Times