Fiat India is preparing itself for yet another launch, this time with a diesel offering in the C segment.
The auto multinational is toying with the idea of either introducing a model from its international range, like the Alfa Romeo, or a variant of an existing brand in India.
A Fiat executive told Business Standard, "It could either be a diesel version of the Sienna or the more preferred option would be to bring in a car from Fiat's international portfolio, possibly from the Alfa Romeo stable. If we decide to work on the Sienna platform, the car will hit the roads by 2003 end else it will roll out mid-2004."
The Italian carmaker which already has a diesel offering in the Adventure, on the Palio platform in the Rs 7 lakh (Rs 700,000) bracket, is now hoping to straddle all price segments. It is also toying with the idea of introducing of a new diesel car in the Rs 5-6 lakh (Rs 500,000-600,000) range.
In spite of making its presence felt with both the Sienna and the Adventure, Fiat is yet to make a dent in the C segment.
The Adventure sells around 50-60 cars a month and the Sienna does around 40 a month in what is a highly competitive market.
C segment players like Tata Motors, Ford India, Hyundai Motors and Maruti Suzuki have already tapped the diesel car market with diesel versions of the Indigo, Ikon, Accent and the Esteem, respectively.
Analysts believe that diesel cars account for nearly 40 per cent of the cars sold in the C segment market.
Fiat's product portfolio now includes the Uno petrol and diesel in the A plus segment, the Palio petrol and diesel versions in the B plus segment, the Siena in the C segment, the Weekend, an estate version of the Siena and Adventure, station wagon.
