Fiat promise cheaper Stilo
30 July 2002: Fiat is to introduce a cheaper, fewer frills version of its Stilo in October, according to Fiat Auto Chief Executive Giancarlo Boschetti. A wagon version is due around the same time.
The current cost of a base Stilo in Italy is 13,142 euros, and in Ireland it enters the lists at 17,605 euros. Whether the cheaper car will be available in reland remains to be seen.
The move comes against a background of sinking sales by Fiat in many European markets, including its Italian home base, though the company says the Stilo is selling twice as well as the Bravo/Brava cars it replaces.
Since its introdiction, Fiat Auto have always maintained that the Stilo would sell on the basis of its high specification for its cost and against the competition.
Boschetti said Fiat Auto, which includes the Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo marques, had sold 370,000 cars in Italy in the first half and forecast sales of 300,000 units in the other six months. Last year, Fiat sold 825,000 cars in its home market.
July 2002