Fiat Punto Abarth, crossover Avventura launched

Italian-American auto major Fiat Chrysler Automobiles launched two performance oriented products - premium hatchback Punto Abarth and crossover Avventura powered by Abarth - priced at Rs 9.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The two new products are part of the company's revival strategy plans in India where it has been struggling to win consumers.Stating that India forms a "massive part" of the company's plans, he said, "we are really determined to bring more upmarket products here."In August this year, the company launched its premium sports hatchback Abarth 595 Competizione priced at Rs 29.85 lakh.In July, Fiat Chrysler announced it would invest USD 280 million (over Rs 1,780 crore) in its manufacturing joint venture with Tata Motors to support production of Jeep model which is expected to roll out in the second quarter of 2017. Ranjangaon, Maharashtra, will be the fourth plant outside the US for volume production of Jeep vehicles. Jeep branded vehicles are currently manufactured in Italy and Brazil and the company will begin production in China in the fourth quarter of 2015. At present, Fiat has a capacity to produce 1.35 lakh cars per annum from the plant. In 2014, Fiat Chrysler had announced plans to launch 12 models in India in five years.