Fiat sets up stockyard facility at Ranjangaon

FIAT Group Automobiles India Private Limited (FGAIPL), subsidiary of Italian auto major Fiat  has set up a stockyard facility at Ranjangaon near Pune. The stockyard has the capacity to house 2000 cars. The stockyard also comprises of a separate loading area to allow loading of cars into car carrier trailors.

The stockyard, designed and constructed by FIAT's logistics partner Mercurio Pallia, is spread across a area of 12 acres within the Ranjangaon Industrial premises and in close proximity to FIAT's manufacturing plant. However, company has not disclosed any investment details for this facility.

Currently, the stockyard will cater to the incumbent Fiat Linea and Fiat Punto models.

In due course of time it will store  cars from the FIAT and the Chrysler group as and when they are introduced in the Indian market.

Speaking on the occasion, Enrico Atanasio, MD, FIAT Group Automobiles Pvt. Ltd, said, "The FIAT Group views India as a key strategic market and one which will soon be amongst the top five automobile markets in the world. We are confident that India will be a driving force in terms of volumes for the group and therefore, the development of this stockyard in association with Mercurio Pallia, our logistics partner will enable us to bridge the demand-supply gap and put us in a strong position to achieve our objectives."

Robert Decrick, head, SCM, APAC FIAT Chrysler added, "The development of this stockyard is in alignment with the Group's strategy to replicate its' global operational standards. Our objective is to develop India as a global export hub and this stockyard is a stepping stone towards accomplishing it."

Fiat India is also expanding its own dealership network by appointing 110 new dealers by end of June 2013. It has a target of appointing 170 dealers by the end of December 2013. Along with this, now, Fiat eyes Indian SUV market and will launch a new model 'Wrangler' and 'Cherokee' Jeep brands by October in India. This will compete with Land Rover and Audi Q7. It will also launch a passenger car Punto Abarth by June 2013.

The company will distribute Fiat and Jeep vehicles in India through an independent dealer network.