Fiat To Launch Siena Weekend On September Eight

The company is likely to launch Siena Weekend in both petrol and diesel versions. The diesel version would be powered by a 1.7-litre turbo-charged engine, while Siena Weekend petrol would be launched in a 1.6-litre version.

Earlier, Fiat India had decided to launch the diesel version of Siena Weekend in June. However, the company has postponed the plans and will now launch Siena Weekend in both diesel and petrol version, sources said.

Rumours of an increase in the price of diesel and the fact that diesel cars were not selling are being cited as reasons behind the delay in the launch of Siena Weekend's diesel version.

Siena Weekend would be the first station wagon to be launched after Tata Estate. Maruti Udyog had earlier announced its plans to launch a station wagon version of the Baleno sometime this year.

Fiat of Italy holds a 93 per cent stake in Fiat India Automobiles, its Indian subsidiary.

As per the latest figures provided by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Siam), Fiat India Automobiles sold 830 units in June 2000, as against 1,555 units sold in June 1999.

As per industry data, Fiat Uno -- the small car manufactured by Fiat India -- has seen a constant drop in market share. While Uno's market share was around nine per cent in the B-segment (or the Zen, Santro, Matiz segment) in 1998, it fell to seven per cent in 1999 and was a meagre four per cent or so in the early part of this year. Maruti Zen and Hyundai Santro are leading in the segment.

Even Siena's market share had been falling. While Siena's market share was nine per cent in the mid-size segment in 1999, in the early part of this year its market share stood at four per cent.