Fiat India, which had showcased the Abarth 500 at the Delhi Auto Expo last month, is yet to take a decision on which of the Abarth models it will begin assembling at its Ranjangaon plant in 2015.

The Abarth is Fiat's performance brand and the Abarth 500 is one of four new cars that the Italian car maker has lined up for a 2014 launch in India. It will be launched as a Completely Built Unit to begin with.

“We will have a local Abarth in 2015, but we are still looking at which of the local models can be upgraded,” Nagesh Basavanhalli, president and managing director, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India Operations, said, adding that the car will have local content and retain its brand DNA.

Currently, two models from the Abarth range are racing – the 500 and the Punto – and as the latter is, also built in India it may merit consideration for local assembly. The Abarth model will be sold through a special corner in Fiat showrooms, and the company plans to make them available in a few cities to start with, he said.

Fiat has just launched the new Linea in the Indian market, and will bring the Abarth-500, the new hatchback Avventura and the refreshed Punto before end December. The launch of the Jeep brand though, has been deferred right now.

The parting of ways with Tata Motors for marketing its brands – Fiat now has 108 exclusive dealerships – seems to have helped sales grow.

“We have seen sales grow over 40% YoY in the first nine months of fiscal 14,” Basvanhalli said, adding that steps to make spare parts both available and affordable had also helped.

At Ranjangoan, where both Fiat and Tata Motors models are built, both the engine and car plants are operating at approximately 45-50% capacity. The company has capacity to make 300,000 engines and 200,000 cars annually here.

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