When Alberto Montanari landed in India, he knew he had disembarked on a territory that has not been a favourite hunting ground for his company. But not one to be pushed to the side lanes, Montanari assured he stewarded Fiat to have a better grip on the Indian auto market. Today with successful products in the most crowded B segment (Palio) and the popular C segment (Petra), Fiat India is on a fast-lane that promises to get better over the next few years.

Alberto Montanari moved into the country in January 2003, shortly after MP Bianchi, his predecessor left for a senior international position in Fiat Auto, Italy. Montanari was last posted with the Fiat family in South Africa, where he was in charge of Fiat Auto's operations as the Managing Director, Fiat Auto South Africa (PTY) Ltd.

An experienced hand with Fiat's operations in several international markets, Montanari has been driving the Italian auto major through difficult turns in the Indian market. Montanari has spent about 20 years with Fiat. Prior to his South African assignment, he was with Fiat Auto at Turin, Italy. He has worked with Weber Carburatori SpA (Fiat Group) and Magneti Marelli in locations including Japan, Korea, UK and Milan in Italy.

While his forerunner Bianchi was credited with turning around the Indian operations of Fiat, with a successful launch of the Palio, Montanari has brought in a C segment diesel offering in the Petra. Montanari has played an important role in opening up allied avenues for Fiat India to generate business from international markets. Fiat's plant at Kurla in Maharashtra supplies components to other Fiat facilities worldwide. Components are exported to Italy, Morocco, South Africa and Poland. With business and acceptability growing for his products, Montanari can only look ahead to a road that leads him and his company to a successful, safe and happy journey.