Fiat China News – Things could be better!
The Fiat Bravo has been on the market for a very short time in China, just over several months in fact, and in that time sales have been anything but good. Fiat initially planned to launch the Bravo, Punto, and Linea over the course of 2008, and 2009, so far China has received the Bravo, a car that was well received by the media and dealers, especially after the death of Nanjing-Fiat which left many dealer ships without cars to sell. Beijing areas were limited to the Brava, but other areas reportedly received the Punto, and Linea as well, but since the re-launch of Fiat-China, Beijing dealers have only been able to sell 5 cars in August alone.
A recent article on the Chinese language auto portal, auto.sohu, suggested that many current Fiat owners were interested in the Bravas looks, and performance, but the added cost of servicing and maintaining an imported model is off putting, the article also mentioned that acquisition of spare parts has also been an issue for some dealerships. Fiat dealers believe that the concept of a small car being a luxurious item is something that Chinese consumers haven’t quite grasped yet, with many seemingly believe that small cars should be cheap, although judging by MINI sales in China, it could be a concept that is slowly changing.
Many people believe that Fiat are in a very perilous situation right now, but judging by Fiats turn around in the European market, and with Fiat doing multiple platform/model deals with Chinese auto manufacturers, it could just be that Fiat come out on top in China once again.
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
RSS Feed
If, going by previous posts, this car is selling for 200-210k RMB here, then yes it is priced high. Over here, bigger is definitely better. Fiat also faces the big disadvantage of not having the brand recognition of MINI.
That said, I have seen several Opel Astra GTC (which is both overpriced and underpowered) on the roads here so maybe there is still hope for the Bravo.
I think the Fiat brand maybe actually beter than the MINI brand, but Fiats of the past have been cheap and cheerful, where as the MINI branding has always been a prestige brand, at least in Eastern cities where it is well known.
.
More than 200k for a small car is super salty. Only the fashionistas and early adopters would be willing to pay so much for an import. If it were 40% cheaper and China made, Im sure it would give the compact class leader, the Focus, a run for its money.
I also think the next generation Astra may be the future Buick Excelle estate, and a replacement for the HRV.