FIAT CV IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH WICKES

Wickes Home Improvement Centres and Fiat Commercial Vehicles have just formed a partnership which will run to the end of 2004. Their first marketing activity, an in-store competition to win a new Fiat Scudo van, has already been launched.

The competition is running in all Wickes stores nationwide, and is being supported by national press advertising; via the April/May Wickes booklet door drop to around nine million homes; and on line at www.wickes.co.uk / http://www.fiatcommercialvehicles.co.uk

The partnership will allow both companies to 'drive' customers into Wickes stores and into Fiat Commercial Vehicles dealerships for test drives. It will also allow both companies to share information. Fiat commercial vehicles are being displayed outside most of Wickes' stores around the country until 16 May.

Paul Godden, Fiat Commercial Vehicles brand manager comments: "Our two organisations have a huge crossover in terms of customer and prospective audiences, so it made sense for us to come together to make the most of these synergies."

Jeremy Bird, commercial director of Wickes, comments: "We are delighted to be offering our customers such a great opportunity to win a new Scudo van. The link-up with Fiat is a natural partnership and the high level of investment we are making with the promotion clearly demonstrates the support we are giving our customers in 2004.

"We will be sharing information from the entries with Fiat, as well as encouraging tradesmen to carry out test drives on the new Fiat Scudo with their local Fiat dealer."

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For further information please contact:

PETER NEWTON Public Relations Director

or

Puneet Joshi Press Officer

Fiat Auto (UK) Limited

Tel: 01753 511431

Fax: 01753 516871

E-mail addresses: peter.newton@fiat.com/puneet.joshi@fiat.com

This press release is also available on www.newspress.co.uk

Further information can also be obtained on www.fiatautopress.com

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