Fiat to expand network to 125 dealerships by year-end

Fiat Group today said it plans to expand its network to 125 dealerships across the country by the end of this year, as the Italian auto major aims to capture 5% market share of the country's automobile market in next three years.

"We will have about 125 partners by end of this calendar year (2013) but the facilities active will be 100 and we will be covering 70% of the market," Fiat Group Automobiles India, Head (Sales & Network) Ravi Bhatia told reporters here today on the sidelines of opening its exclusive dealership here.

At present, Fiat Group has 54 outlets across the country.

"Our focus is on building network across the country, building brand and bringing out innovative products for Indian market," said Fiat Chrysler (India) President and MD Nagesh Basavanhalli here when asked how would the company strengthen its position in the Indian market which is already dominated by major automobile brands.

"Fiat India is aggressively focusing on increasing its footprint in India and this (opening of dealership) launch is in continuation of rapid expansion strategy," Basavanhalli said.

The company, which has ended its distribution arrangement with Tatas on April 1 this year, is aiming to capture 5% market share of country's automobile market in next three years on the back of new launches and dealership expansion.

"We currently have less than one% market share...But we have plans to raise it to 5% in next three years," Bhatia said.

Fiat's sale went down from approximately 16,000 units in 2011 to 6,000 units in 2012.

The company has plans to roll out nine variants including models in hatchback, sedan and jeep segments in next three to four years for the Indian market.

Currently, Fiat is selling the Linea and Punto models, manufactured by the Tata-Fiat joint venture.

Fiat Group Automobiles India, a fully owned subsidiary of Fiat Group Automobiles SpA, Italy, was incorporated in March 2012.