For all the noise, how is Fiat really doing?

My opinion: Fiat is trying its damndest best to win back hearts!! They are doling out offers to prospective buyers, taking complaints seriously, trying hard to improve, trying to prove the MJD engines as one of the better engines around (with the Diesel drive) etc etc.

You got to give them time. Hell, like I mentioned in my previous post: I have got better response in Tata - Fiat showrooms than any others (read one of my previous posts about my experiences). My responses have been clarified and this has been a better experience overall.

I am actually surprised with the "Noise" word used as the title. Like VP pointed out, whats wrong in being passionate with what you feel good about? I don't think this is Noise at all.

Cheers,

Naveen

As a GP owner, let me answer some of the points below:

My GP's left side OVRM broke about 4-6 weeks after I bought the car. It took 10 days for the part to arrive in stock. IMO, OVRM's are high risk parts in India and Fiat should have had these parts in stock specially since the Linea was already in the market for about 8 months and the mirror's are the same for Linea and GP. Yes, Kaushik and Mangesh responded to my concerns very fast and swiftly worked to help me but why should company higher up's get invovled in such mundane things?

No short cuts and easy way out. This will improve in the long run and through word of mouth. Yes, people should have a open mind too when it comes to Fiat

All of them related hence I am bunching them together.

There is surely a lot of scope for improvement in plastic quality. But it's not like the whole interior is full of poor plastics and fit and finish. Area's that people are not going to touch and see often are of poor quality and finish but things like stereo, ACC, steering wheel, gear shift are top notch and feel really nice to touch and operate. In my car, nothing has fallen off or come out in 7,300 kms and 5 months. For all the poorly fit and finish talk there is not a single rattle anywhere. I hope it stays that way!

In my MJD, first and second gear's are weak. From 1500-1700 rpm the car performs really well. Weight plays a part here but I don't think it's in Fiat's DNA to design light cars. I actually prefer the heavy feel so I hope they stay this way! Also, I feel Fiat got a bit bogged down with giving good fuel economy and I don't blame them. The Palio scarred their image really bad and they had to push the 'Fiat's are fuel guzzler's' image out of everyone's mind.

Now, here is something important. My SX4 is sluggish in first and second gears too but have you heard of any Maruti owners saying that? Somewhere, I feel we expect the world from Fiat but are willing to compromise with other car makrers.

Where did you get this one from? It's universally acknowledged that the outside build quality of Fiat's is top notch and leagues ahead of all cars in it's segment.

As for TASS professionalism and approach, I have had a pleasent expereince last week when I wanted to go in for a oil change. Once I do the oil change, I will update the expereince in my Punto ownership thread.

I feel Palio owner's are struggling to get good service mainly due to spare parts issue but Linea and GP owner's are having it much better.

Amit,

These all things are being said when one tries to say something positive about Fiat. And I'm intrigued whether to call these things a "noise" or to call owners' reviews a "noise".

Thats what I mentioned earlier. Perceptions... Mindsets...

Had it been Maruti Punto or Honda Linea - the engine tuning would have been called marvelous saying - what a way to derive driveable/ practical / usable power from smaller engine keeping the FE higher, at lowest cost, offering class-leading features, with class-leading Ride & Hanling, one of the best HPS steering, good suspension, dropdead gorgeous looks & what not !!

I cannot expect a bed-ridden sick man, who was at the threshold of death not long ago, to win a gold medal at the Olympics.  However, I am happy to note that the person is not only cured of his illness, but also able to walk, run and compete with his peers.  That itself is a good sign.  I think, Fiat India is on right path. 

nice comparision ravi.j

amit,even i had my right ORVM broken and it was immediately available with ASS and was changed the same day within minutes,availabilty, i think differs with places 

Thank you, Bala.

I had a good reception at Concorde Motors, both at Hosur Road and Mysore Road during my three TD of Fiat Linea.  On the contrary, I got a lukewarm treatment at one of the Honda dealership, where I went for TD of ANHC with my family, with a prior appointment.  So, it all depends on various factors like the sales executive's and our own mood at that time!

Even the present market/segment leaders will have tough time to maintain their numbers in a couple of years due to entry of many more models/versions of the existing brands and new-comers.  Ultimately, it is going to be the survival of the fittest, IMO.

I think Fiat is not so serious about their sale specially in India. They are are happy with some units are sold. It is true that their after sale services are worst in India and Tata is helping them to go to italy soon. There are some fans of fiat and want Fiat to cover the market rapidly, which is not possible in current scenario. Other companies are far ahead from Fiat and also people have trust in them. For instance, hyundai.. from its participation in india way back in 90s, it is continuously gaining people's faith and going on and on and on. The market sales shows I-10, I-20 and Santro doing too good for them. In premium hatchback segment, where the current month (October 2009) leader is Indica with 9640 units and Swift at second place with 8115 units and amazingly I-20 stands at third with 4940 units, just passing Ritz with 4803 units. In this segment breakup for others are follows :

Punto - 1200

Jazz-830

Fabia - 779

Uva - 599

Gets - 334

Fusion - 57

Palio - 20

Fiat 500 - 1

Fiat is doing good in this segment if only compared with Fabia, jazz and fusion, but looking to the price tag of these vehicles (about 6-7.5 lacs), it is not in favour of fiat, which starts from 4.25 lac.   

Then why are comparing with Ritz and Swift, which are >50K less than Punto.

Its stupid to say Fiat is not serious about India. No org invests abount 2000 crore in a venture without being serious. Ask me about Business plans and to get investorsand I will tell you its tough man.. real tough.

Now, there are established segment players in the Indian car industry namely Maruti, Hyundai. So, should somebody say.. "Hey there are these players, so lets not try at all"?? I don't think so. And you are talking about somebody like Ravi mentioned, who could not even walk last year same time. Now, hes up and running. That's some achievement.

There are folks willing to buy and enjoy products offered by VW, Skoda, Fiat and other smaller players including me. So, to each his own.

Cheers,

Naveen