Shouting ’sell’ rather than ’buy’, does not happen a lot with me...since I don’t like to be a harbinger of bad news .This time around though, It has a lot to do with the company, than the product. Today, mind you we are all living in a small global village. No longer can you think and live under the impression that you are completely insulated from a problem that is happening in Italy.
In fact, I am not a Anti- FIAT person either. My first review on Mouthshut was on a Fiat Palio Petrol version in year 2002 (I still recommend the car...for a ’ride’ and not a ’buy’). The Diesel is equally good ...but I am worried that the company parent’s problem will spill over to the Indian subsidiary and all of a sudden all Palio owners (I still say the car is good, be it diesel or petrol), will be sitting on a car whose ’spare’ parts will suddenly become ’rare’ parts .
About the Car :
Well the Palio D is a great Lil Car. Dependable and sturdy and all of 1910 cc. It’s got a digital fuel Injection system.At 4.2 - 4.75 lacs. It gives an average mileage of about 9 - 10 KM per litre of Diesel, that’s all the company promises. The top model also gives you ABS technology braking too. As usual engineers at Fiat have managed to create a car which looks small from the outside, but big on the Inside. Roomy and spacious, It’s also got great suspensions, making the ride a breeze.
On a 1.9 litre engine, this car gives a good drive for the penny-wise speed devils too! Looks wise this beast is the twin sister of the Palio Petrol version. Those same curves..the same shine in those eyes in front . This baby has the best looks in ther small car segment in India.
About the Company
The Italian company, announced yesterday that it is closing down 12 manufacturing plants worldwide. The Company plans to cut 12, 000 JOBS WORLDWIDE ALSO..by 2006. The job cuts and closures will not happen in Italy due to political pressure but happen globally. India could also be a probable place for downsizing and plant closure.
The company’s Indian subsidiary pooh-poohed all the news and said everything is fine. But remember, Daewoo said the same thing until it shut shop one day.
Fiat - globally has been hit by a 20% drop in sales, though Indian ops are upbeat!
Fiat - is burdened by a debt of more than $6 Billion , but Indian ops are OK!
Fiat - closed year 2002 with a net loss of 4.26 Billion euros, Indian ops are OK!
If you are in TERTIARY STAGE OF CANCER IN YOUR THROAT...and still keep telling one and all that your legs are fine, and BECAUSE OF THAT you are completely healthy and will live long...IS THAT LOGICAL?
NOTE: I still say that the Palio is a great car...but as the Johnie Walker quote ’ The whole world steps aside for a man who knows where he is going’ ...UNFORTUNATELY FAIT DOES NOT KNOW WHERE IT IS GOING...