Two of the latest set of wheels from the Fiat stable - 2012 Linea and 2012 Punto, hit the auto market in the State on Tuesday, with Tata Motors expressing confidence that the rising demand for diesel cars and the Fiat focus on these variants made it hopeful of achieving targets.
20,000 units
The company has set eyes of selling 20,000 units in the domestic market this calendar year, up against 18,000 in 2011, said Tata Motors Assistant General Manager (Fiat Brands), Piyush Lall.
Joint Venture
In tune with the new models expected to drive its market in India, the Joint Venture (50:50) unit of Tata Motors and the Italian car major (Fiat India Automobiles India) at Ranjangaon in Maharashtra had a capacity to wheel out 2,00,000 cars and 3,50,000 engines a year.
Currently, it was working at 70 per cent capacity utilisation and with the Maruti Suzuki tie-up for 1,00,000 diesel engines over a three-year period, utilisation was expected to grow, he stated.
The new Linea and Punto diesel versions come with enviable features in the form of split foldable seats, bright ivory-grey interiors, power windows and while Linea will be available between Rs. 6.92 and Rs. 9.32 lakh, Punto costs between Rs. 4.89 and Rs. 6.92 lakh. The cars boast of higher ground clearance with a special kit that would cost about Rs. 13,000, including labour charges. It would allow 185-190 mm clearance on Punto from the 165-170 at present and 180-185 mm on Linea, up from 160-165 mm, Mr. Lall said.
