Fiat Chrysler Automobiles posted January sales in Europe (EU28+EFTA) of more than 60,000 vehicles, representing a 6.2% share of the market. Group brands outperformed in several major markets, including the UK (+22.2%), Spain (+12.6%) and France (+1.8%). Lancia brand sales were up 11% versus January a year ago and Jeep posted growth of 10%. The Fiat 500L registered strong performance, remaining first in its segment, and the Fiat Panda and Fiat 500 also continued as the two top-selling A-segment cars in Europe. Fiat brand posted a 25.4% increase in the UK and Jeep sales were higher in nearly all major European markets.
The European passenger car market (EU28+EFTA) closed the month of January with vehicle registrations up 5.2% over the same month in 2013 to 968,000 units.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles posted European sales of just over 60,000 vehicles (-1.8% versus January 2013) with market share at 6.2%, down 40 basis points year-over-year but up 70 basis points versus December 2013. For major markets, Group sales were 1.8% higher in France, compared with 0.5% for the market. In the UK, where the market registered a 7.6% increase, Group sales were
up 22.2% from January a year ago and market share increased from 2.9% to 3.2%. In Spain, Group sales were up 12.6%, compared with 7.5% for the market. Sales performance was also particularly positive in several minor markets, including Switzerland (+9.9%), Ireland (+95.4%), Sweden (+22.4%) and Romania (+62%).
Fiat brand’s European sales totaled nearly 46,000 vehicles for the month, representing a 2.8% decrease over January 2013, with market share down 40 basis points to 4.7%.
The brand outperformed in several major markets, including France (+1.3%), the UK (+25.4%) and Spain (+30.5%).
The 500 and Panda were once again the two most popular cars in the European A segment, with shares of 14.1% and 13.1%, respectively. The 500 posted strong share
performance in several individual markets, including Italy (19.2% segment share), Germany (8.1%), the Netherlands (9.4%), Switzerland (20.5%) and Austria (17.6%). The 500L also continued to register strong sales growth, consolidating its position as segment leader with European share up 740 basis points over January 2013 to 22.8%. The model also achieved significant gains in several individual markets, with share reaching 51.6% in Italy, 31.7% in Spain, 15.3% in the UK, 15.3% in France and 12.3% in Switzerland. The 500 family of models accounted for 43% of all Fiat brand sales by volume and posted growth in all European markets. The Punto and Freemont both ranked among the top 10 in their respective segments.
Lancia/Chrysler had a strong start to the year, with January sales up 11% to nearly 6,900 units and share stable at 0.7%. European sales for the Ypsilon were more than 30% higher than January a year ago. In Italy, the Ypsilon ranked second in the B segment, with a 14.4% share, and was the third best-selling vehicle overall.
For major markets, brand sales were up significantly in Italy (+13.7%), France (+11.7%) and Spain (68.8%).
Alfa Romeo closed the month with sales totaling just over 4,500 vehicles (-20.3% year-over-year) and share was 0.5%. The MiTo gained share in Italy, consolidating its leadership in the 3-door small compact segment, and the Giulietta was the second best-selling medium compact in Italy for the month.
Jeep posted January sales of just over 2,200 vehicles, representing a 10% increase, and market share was in line with the prior year at 0.2%. Brand sales were up 10.8% in Germany, 22.6% in France and 64.8% in the UK. The Grand Cherokee posted a 40.6% sales increase over January a year ago continuing as one of the top ten vehicles in its segment.
For Ferrari and Maserati, the Group’s luxury and performance brands, European sales for the month of January were up 152.9% over the prior year to 703 vehicles.
