Fiat distribution in Russia is to be handled by Chrysler’s Russian division, Chrysler Rus, from the beginning of January. Fiat passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) will be imported along with Chrysler and Jeep vehicles and distributed to more than 100 Fiat and Chrysler dealers in the Russian Federation.
Management representatives from each carmaker met with the dealers in Moscow in November to discuss the organisation of sales and aftersales by the one organisation. Dealers were briefed on the potential business opportunities arising from the global alliance. Attendees, who included a further 300 dealership owners and general managers, were also given details of all the brands currently sold including Fiat, Fiat Professional (LCVs), Jeep and Chrysler.
Fiat said that new potential Fiat dealers expressed interest for all products presented, especially the new Fiat Ducato, a European best seller, which will be available in Russia from January 2012.
Fiat signed a €2.4 billion ($3.3 billion) joint venture with Russian carmaker Sollers in February last year to make up to 500,000 vehicles a year in the country by 2016 andwhich would have included distribution Fiat cars in the market (read more here). However, that agreement was nullified in February this year when the companies made a joint announcement that they were “to pursue independent strategies to further develop their respective presence in Russia”.
