Monday, March 09, 2015
FIAT ‘WILL NOT RETURN TO MASS-MARKET’
Fiat bosses have signalled that that have no ambitions to return the make to the mass market in the UK. Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced at the Geneva Motor Show last week that Fiat will instead concentrate on making small cars and specialist vehicles.
The announcement confirms its reliance for now on the 500 city car and its 500L MPV and SUV offshoots, along with the Panda. While a replacement for the Bravo is scheduled for 2016, the future of the Punto supermini is doubtful.
Even though the Punto was once a top-seller, it is likely to be replaced by another 500 spin-off next year rather than a direct replacement, although Fiat has yet to say what form this might take. However, Fiat did confirm that it plans to sell a small roadster, like Mazda’s MX-5.
Mr Marchionne said at a press conference: “the economics are not there” in terms of an investment return to keep Fiat as a mass-market brand.The brand would not try to regain market share in Europe.
DATED: 09.03.15
FEED: ARN
