Fiat Auto is not only introducing the “Solution Kit” IT system and a new brand identity in South Africa, but will produce a bakkie and diesel-powered Palio by year-end, says the company’s MD, Giorgio Gorelli.
Fiat Auto is not only introducing the “Solution Kit” IT system and a new brand identity in South Africa, but will produce a bakkie and diesel-powered Palio by year-end, says the company’s MD, Giorgio Gorelli.
“Fiat Auto SA’s new corporate image will be deployed over the next three years throughout South Africa and Sub Saharan countries with the assistance of a team of specialists from Fiat headquarters in Italy and from other parts of the world,” Gorelli said, adding that an improvement of the group’s “management and dealer processes” would be part of the roll out.
As far as the “Solution Kit” information technology (IT) system, “signals the injection of an additional substantial investment into South Africa, and will be key in assisting both the company’s staff and its network to better meet customers’ needs,” he added.
Gorelli also hinted that Fiat Auto SA could eventually join the list of South African manufacturers with fully built-up vehicle export programmes: “An investment has been approved for the local production of a (three-quarter ton) right-hand drive bakkie”.
He added that Fiat Auto SA would be testing the waters to see if there was global demand for the vehicle, of which between 1 000 and 1 500 would be built in 2005 and up to 2 000 in 2006.
Furthermore, the final quarter of 2004 will see the company start production of the Fiat Palio turbodiesel.
