Fiat dealers in China have no cars to sell until summer

Shanghai. February 19 (Gasgoo.com) - Italian automaker Fiat SPA's sales network has dwindled to 55 dealers from over 100 dealers two years ago and the remaining dealers have no cars to sell before this summer when Fiat will introduce new imports.

 

"Fiat will hold a dealership meeting on February 20 to discuss our future cooperation with Fiat, but I bet there will be less than 55 dealers left in the end," said an unnamed manager of a Nanjing Fiat dealership in Beijing.

 

The merger deal between SAIC and Nanjing Auto late last year put an end to Nanjing Fiat, a joint venture between Nanjing Auto and Fiat. Currently, local-made Fiat cars have been sold out at the dealerships and these dealers have only imported cars to sell. Some dealers even have no cars to sell.

 

However, new imported Fiat cars won't arrive until this summer. Paolo Arpellino, the group's chief representative in China, said imported Grande Punto, Linea and Bravo would probably hit the market between late June and early July this year. Arpellino, who took the position last year, is responsible for Fiat’s business development and daily operations in China, including investments and new product launches.

 

"We may set up an independent sales company, or find a general selling agency in the Chinese market," said Zheng Xiaoli, spokesperson for Fiat China.