Fiat Group has stolen a march on its European rivals by launching a sophisticated but low cost telematics service that will be used in all Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari and Maserati models. It believes no rivals will be able to offer similar services for at least a year.
Fiat Auto chief executive officer Roberto Testore has revealed his wish to make Alfa Romeo into a separate prestige retail brand. “It is my dream to have a solus Alfa network,” he said in London.
Fiat Auto has cut the price of almost 700 service-related original fitment Fiat and Alfa parts for out-of-production vehicles by up to 20%.
Introducing a car with bold styling is a good way for manufacturers to polarise opinion and draw attention to their products. We saw it in 1999 with the Fiat Multipla and now Renault has created a stir with the Avantime - a new concept in luxury coupes.
Former Lancia styling chief Mike Robinson has been appointed as the new head of Fiat Centro Stile in Turin.
Fiat Auto is expected to re-introduce Lancia to the UK as part of a plan to reach 4.2 million annual global sales of cars and light commercials by 2008 - a 75% increase over last year's 2.44 million.
Manheim Auctions, Bristol hosted the site's first multi-manufacturer sale of nearly 200 vehicles from seven different vendors including Alphabet, Daewoo Cars, Fiat Auto (UK), Ford, Kia Cars (UK), Mitsubishi and Volkswagen.
Fiat Auto (UK) is working “round the clock” to ensure power steering-equipped Punto cars and Punto Vans which may have a steering defect are recalled as soon as possible.
Remarketing firm GRS is urging dealers to add light commercial vehicles to their range of used stock after securing a deal to supply used Fiat Scudo and Ducato vans. It believes dealers have an opportunity to boost profits by taking advantage of growing consumer demand for used vans.
Fiat Auto (UK) has just announced record parts and accessories sales during the first four months of 2001. During this period, year on year, turnover has increased by 12.5%.
A weak European market contributed to Fiat Auto making an operating loss in the first quarter of 2001, which offset attempts to streamline the company within the GM family.
Fiat and Alfa Romeo Financial Services has launched two motor finance web sites allowing potential customers to configure their choice of Fiat or Alfa Romeo on-line, assess the value of their current vehicle, and find out how much the new vehicle could cost per month.
General Motors and Fiat are considering a takeover offer for Daewoo Motor.
Fiat is launching a new range-topping variant of the Punto as the firm celebrates the car becoming the number one best-selling in Europe.
Family owned Fiat dealership B S Marson & Sons of Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been awarded the title of 'Masters of Distinction 2000' in an on-going national dealer development programme run by Fiat Auto (UK) for Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealerships.
##Punto van rear--left## A three-year dealer warranty, which includes Fiat AA breakdown and recovery and load continuation for the first year, is now available on the new Punto Van.
##GM--left## The first benefits of General Motors' alliance with Fiat on powertrain developments will be the use of Italian-manufactured diesel engines in 2003 in either the Vauxhall Corsa or Astra. The GM-Fiat alliance in the areas of powertrain and purchasing was announced last year and is now becoming operational.
The new Fiat Doblo Cargo van is now on sale in the UK as successor to the Fiorino van.
Fiat Auto (UK) has appointed a new fleet director, Richard Hogarth. He takes over from Rob Hatfield, who has been appointed CV and used car director.
Fiat's new compact hatchback, the Stilo, will make its international debut at the Geneva motor show at the end of this month.
