Fiat has nothing to sell until summer 08!
Fiat is possibly most famous for turning itself around, from being an ailing sick motoring company with a poor reputation for quality, into one of the best selling brands in Europe in less than ten years. If Fiat is so good at revitilizing itself, we would like to see how they are going to get out of this latest hole. After breaking up their joint venture cooperation with Nanjing Autos, and signing up with Chery, Fiat has found itself with no cars to sell to the Chinese markets in the time being.
To put another nail in Fiats China coffin, over 40 dealers have left the once 100 branch strong dealer network. Fiat China currently has 55 dealerships in China, but with nothing left to sell, and bills to pay, will any of the dealers stay on board? Possibly not. Currently many of the dealers have sold out their Fiat stock, some have imported Fiat models, and some have no stock. Imported Grande Punto, Linea and Bravo models are expected to go on the market in China by June/July 2008, which may be too late for many Fiat dealers.
The new Fiat boss for China, Mr. Arpellino, has broadcast a message on the Fiat Chinese website outlining Fiats plans for China in 2008, and asking current Fiat customers to rest at ease since the NAC/Fiat joint venture has ended.
However, the Fiat Linea is not expected to be made in China until 2009. Can Fiat China make up for lost ground in 09/10? We hope so. We always like to root for the underdog.
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I agree Fiat has improved quite a bit…..but you also have to recognize the payout GM gave Fiat after a failed deal was an expected help to the company.
And a real pity that the 500 is not planned (at least for some time) to be in the China market!
The Nissan Micra (March) will come in first and steal up that market!
I think the Micra is due this year!
To be honest I think once the Chinese see the Fiat 500 the will buy it and forget the Micra. The 500 is brilliant. However, that’s causing problems. The car only recently went on sale in the UK after a 6 month delay as the factory couldn’t build the cars fast enough to meet demand.
Wonder how long it will be before a ‘copy’ is made by a chinese manufacturer??
The problem is, the Fiat 500 probably wont hit China until 2010, and the Micra is expected to be launched towards the end of this year, or early next. The biggest Micra engine on offer in the UK, the 1.6 is already made here, the 1.5/1.3′s are likely to be made here too. Im not sure what platform its based off though.
The Fiat 500 looks like a great car though!