In March, the Italian auto market was down 4.9% compared with the same month in 2012 when volumes were negatively affected by a car hauler strike. Fiat Group Automobiles posted a 5.3% year-over-year increase, with March sales of 38,000 vehicles and Group models (Panda, Punto, Ypsilon and 500L) ranking as the four best selling cars in Italy.
Fiat brand posted a strong performance (volumes +13.8% and market share +3.5 p.p.) and the 500L was the best selling mid-sized vehicle March saw a further decline in new vehicle sales in Italy, with volumes down 4.9% to 132,000 vehicles. This figure compares with March 2012, when supply levels – and, as a consequence, new vehicle sales – were severely affected by a protracted car hauler strike. For the first three months, 355,000 new vehicles were registered, representing a 13% decrease over the same period in 2012.
Fiat Group Automobiles posted March sales of 38,000 vehicles (the highest level since June 2012), an increase of 5.3% over March 2012 when Group sales were heavily penalized by the car hauler strike. Market share was up 2.8 percentage points year-over-year to 28.75%. Year-to-date, FGA sold 103,000 vehicles (up 9.3% over the same period in 2012) with market share increasing 1.2 percentage points to 29%. Those results were driven by the performance of the 500L (launched less than a year ago) and purchase incentives on Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo brand bi-fuel vehicles (of equal or greater value to government incentives), with Group models (Panda, Punto, Ypsilon and 500L) taking the top four positions in the sales rankings for the month.
Fiat brand posted March sales of more than 28,000 vehicles (+13.8%) and market share up 3.5 percentage points year-over-year to 21.5%. Year-to-date, brand sales totaled nearly 78,000 vehicles and share increased 2.6 percentage points over the same period in 2012 to 21.9%. All models contributed positively and the Panda and Punto remained at the top of the overall rankings with a 43.8% and 15.5% share of their respective segments. In addition, just a few months from launch, the 500L is now the most popular mid-sized vehicle in Italy, achieving a 51.1% segment share, on the back of more than 4,500 vehicles sold, and ranking fourth overall. Positive results also for the 500 (15.8% share of the A segment) and the Freemont (leader in its segment with a 31.1% share).
Lancia had March sales of nearly 5,800 vehicles, increasing market share 0.3 percentage points over February to 4.35%. Year-to-date, the brand has sold a total of 15,100 vehicles with share at 4.3%. Following the results achieved in January and February, the Ypsilon was once again among the best selling cars in March ranking third overall and taking a 12.1% share of the B segment. Contributing to that performance was the natural gas EcoChic version of the Ypsilon launched in mid-January which continues to post share gains.
Alfa Romeo sold 3,200 vehicles in March, increasing market share to 2.4% from 2.3% in February 2013. Year-to-date, brand sales totaled 8,500 vehicles with share at 2.4%. The Giulietta continued as one of the best selling mid-sized vehicles with a 12% share of the C segment.
Jeep reported March sales of more than 600 vehicles with year-over-year market share stable at 0.5%. Year-to-date, sales were just under 1,800 vehicles and share was in line with the first three months of 2012 at 0.5%. The Grand Cherokee continued as one of the most popular vehicles in its segment with a 10.2% share for the month of March.
