Fiat SpA and its U.S. unit Chrysler will launch Jeep vehicles in India in the third quarter of 2013, the brand's head said, as the Italian carmaker tries to reboot its Indian venture with an entry into the country's fast-growing SUV segment.
Off-road pick-ups and luxury SUVs Wrangler and Grand Cherokee will be the first vehicles from the Chrysler stable launched in India, as direct imports, Mike Manley, the head of Fiat-Chrysler for APAC, told NDTV. It will also locally produce two more compact SUVs in India in 2014.
The Italian car-maker is also developing a 'value world car' for India and other markets, and will target the segment currently dominated by the Maruti Alto, Mr Manley said, but added that the value car will not be a rival to Nano, which belongs to Tata Motors, the former distribution partner of Fiat in India.
Fiat has failed to crack the highly-competitive low-cost segment, and recently split with local sales partner Tata Motors in May 2012.
With inputs from Reuters
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
