GRANDE PUNTO IS SCOTTISH SMALL CAR OF THE YEAR

Fiat Auto's Grande Punto, which went on sale in the UK at the beginning of this year, has just been named Scottish Small Car of the Year by The Association of Scottish Motoring Writers in the Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2006.

Now in its ninth year, Scottish Car of the Year is judged by members of the ASMW, and more than 50 new models launched during the past 12 months were in contention for a 2006 accolade, awarded across eight categories.

Commenting on the vote for Grande Punto, Stephen Park, President of The ASMW, says: "The days when compact runabouts or 'city' cars broke into a heavy sweat whenever they ventured outside the concrete jungle are thankfully over.

"Today's breed offers much more, including comfort, refinement and versatility. The current crop, personified by Fiat's new Grande Punto, has transformed the small car sector out of all recognition in recent times.

"Keen pricing, a fantastic choice of engines and a striking sense of style, ensured that the Grande Punto nudged ahead of the Renault Clio and the Peugeot 207 to secure the Scottish Small Car of the Year accolade."

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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 and photographs are also available on www.fiat4media.co.uk

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