The first of separate showrooms for the Fiat brand of cars at existing dealerships under the Tata-Fiat JV will become operational by the third quarter of next year, Mr Rajeev Kapoor, President and CEO, Fiat India Pvt Limited, has said.

“We are speaking to all our dealers to set up separate showrooms for Fiat within the existing dealerships. This will be done on a pilot basis first, and these should be able to become operational by the third quarter of 2012,” Mr Kapoor said. He added that the move will give Fiat a different identity, increase focus on its present products and help overcome some issues that arose out of having joint dealerships.

Late last month, a week after Chrysler came into its fold, parent Fiat announced a management restructuring creating four independent geographical regions for its international business, and Mr Michael Manley was appointed head of Asia Pacific region. The changes which become effective from September 1, will impact the Indian business positively and give it greater focus, Mr Kapoor said.

At the Ranjangaon plant, the two JV partners are currently producing Fiat's Linea and Punto and Tata Motors' products Manza and some numbers of Indica cars. Engines for these cars are also being produced, while the company is in talks with Maruti Suzuki to produce engines for them as well.

Given that no new Fiat product has rolled out from this plant for nearly two years, and also that Mr Manley has a Chrysler background, suggests that some Chrysler brands, including the generic Jeep might also be made at the Ranjangaon plant in the future.

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