LOCAL JOINER WINS FIAT VAN COMPETITION

Stefan Stankiewicz, a joiner from Dumfries, is now the proud owner of a brand new Fiat Scudo Van!

In winning the new Scudo, Stefan triumphed over 12,000 other entrants in a joint Fiat Commercial Vehicles/Wickes Home Improvement Centres competition held in 171 Wickes stores nationwide. A regular customer at the Wickes Store in Carlisle, Stefan Stankiewicz correctly answered a question on the lowest priced door featured in Wickes' product brochure.

Commenting on his prize, Stefan Stankiewicz exclaimed: "I am overjoyed that I have won a prestigious new van that I can use for my business. You never expect to win these competitions, so thank you to Fiat and Wickes."

Alan Robinson, regional Fiat Commercial Vehicles manager, was on hand alongside Neil Patterson, store manager at Wickes Store of Carlisle, to present Stefan with his new van.

Patterson remarks: "We were excited that the winner was chosen from our store's entries, and we now look forward to providing Stefan with our continued customer service and even more products to fit into his new Fiat Scudo Van!"

Earlier this year Fiat Commercial Vehicles/Wickes Home Improvement Centres formed a partnership that will run to the end of 2004. The partnership allows both companies to 'drive' customers into Wickes stores and into Fiat Commercial Vehicles dealerships for test drives. It also allows both companies to share information.

Paul Godden, brand manager, Fiat Commercial Vehicles comments: " This presentation was the culmination of the first joint marketing between Fiat Commercial Vehicles and Wickes in the UK, and further promotional activity is planned for later this year. The competition has been a great success and we are absolutely delighted for Stefan. We are confident his new Fiat Scudo Van will prove an invaluable tool for the development of his business."

- end -

FIAT - Note to editors

Fiat Auto's commercial vehicle business is performing particularly well in the UK, with a current market share of 3.75%, and sales some 16% up on the same period last year. In volume terms, Fiat Commercial Vehicles has increased sales in the UK from 8500 in 2002 to a record 10,600 in 2003, and is on track to achieve over 12,000 sales in 2004.

WICKES - Note to editors

Wickes has 171 stores nationwide (as of 09.04.04). Wickes is an established brand within the UK DIY Market and is highly differentiated from its competitors. Wickes stores are designed to appeal to serious DIY customers, who carry out more complex projects, and tradesmen, who undertake general repairs, maintenance and improvement projects for households.

Wickes also offers the following benefits to trade customers:

1. Longer opening hours for added convenience
2. Massive stocks at low prices
3. Bulk purchase offers in store
4. Forklift truck loading
5. Heavy duty maintenance and home improvement products
6. Delivery is available
7. Trusted Wickes brand serving the trade for over 30 years