Fiat Petra (2007)

Thursday, 12 April 2007 10:53 PM Fiat Petra Discontinued in India: In April 2007, Fiat India announced the discontinuation of the Fiat Petra, a sedan that was launched in 2004 as a successor to the Fiat Siena. The decision was largely due to poor sales and the inability of the diesel variant to gain traction in the market. I think the lack of a powerful diesel engine was a significant factor in its failure.

Sunday, 01 October 2006 01:25 PM Market Reception: Despite its launch with some fanfare, the Fiat Petra failed to make a significant impact in the Indian market. The cars sales were disappointing, and it was eventually discontinued within three years of its launch. I believe better marketing and a more powerful diesel engine could have changed its fate.

Sunday, 02 July 2006 12:22 AM Driving Experience: Owners and testers reported mixed experiences with the Fiat Petra. While the petrol engine was praised for its performance, the diesel engine felt underpowered. The cars ride and comfort were also highlighted as positives, but overall, it did not meet expectations. I believe a balanced driving experience is essential for any cars success.

Thursday, 01 June 2006 02:01 PM Maintenance Concerns: One of the significant issues with the Fiat Petra was the concern over maintenance. Many potential buyers were deterred by reports of poor service support from Fiat for its previous models, including the Siena. This fear of maintenance issues impacted the sales of the Petra significantly. I think reliable service support is crucial for any cars success.

Sunday, 01 May 2005 08:17 PM Safety Standards: The Fiat Petra was noted for its safety features, including an ECE crash standard-tested cabin with properly placed crumple zones. This was a positive aspect, but it did not offset the cars other weaknesses. I think safety is a critical factor, but it needs to be balanced with performance and reliability.

Tuesday, 01 March 2005 05:52 AM Design and Features: The Fiat Petra was praised for its European design and features such as power windows, power steering, and a powerful air-conditioning system. The car also had a spacious boot and comfortable seating, but these positives were overshadowed by its performance issues. The design was certainly a strong point, but it wasnt enough to overcome other shortcomings.

Tuesday, 01 February 2005 07:53 PM Price and Competition: The Fiat Petra was priced competitively, with the petrol variant starting at around Rs. 4.7 lakhs and the diesel variant at over Rs. 5.7 lakhs. However, it faced stiff competition from other sedans in the market, which offered better performance and reliability. The pricing was competitive, but the overall package wasnt compelling enough.

Monday, 02 August 2004 12:46 AM Petras Diesel Engine Criticized: By August 2004, Fiat had introduced a diesel engine variant for the Petra, but it was widely criticized for being underpowered. The 1.9-litre SOHC diesel engine produced only 63 PS, which was not sufficient for a sedan of its size. I believe this underpowered engine was a major turnoff for potential buyers.

Friday, 16 January 2004 01:05 AM Petra Launched with Petrol Engine: In early 2004, Fiat launched the Petra with a 1.6-litre DOHC petrol engine, which was praised for its performance. However, the initial launch did not include a diesel variant, which limited its appeal in the Indian market. The petrol engines performance was a highlight, but it wasnt enough to save the car from poor sales.

Monday, 01 December 2003 09:59 PM Relaunch Strategy: Before launching the Petra, Fiat had tried to clear out unsold inventory of the Siena by introducing a Maestro edition. This strategy did not work well, and the Petra, despite being a relaunched version, failed to gain traction. I think a more thorough revamp might have been necessary.