Fiat Chrysler Automobiles posted February sales in Europe up 5.8% to more than 59,000 vehicles. The Fiat Panda and 500 were the two best selling cars in the European A segment (accounting for a combined 29.9% share) and the 500L led its segment with a 20.5% share. Jeep registered growth in nearly all major markets, Alfa Romeo performed well in Germany and Lancia achieved exceptional results in France.
The European passenger car market (EU28+EFTA) posted another month of growth in February with new registrations up 7.6% year-over-year to 895,000 vehicles. For the first two months of the year, registrations were up 6.3% to more than 1,863,000 vehicles.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles posted European sales of more than 59,000 vehicles (+5.8%), representing a 6.6% share of the market. In addition to Italy, where sales were up 7.6% over the prior year, FCA also posted increases in France (+1.9% versus a 1.4% decline for the market), the UK (+14.4% compared with +3.1% for the market) and Spain, where FCA sales were up 50.5% over the prior year, compared with 17.8% for the market. For the two months year-to-date, FCA’s European sales totaled more than 119,000 vehicles (+1.7% versus 2013) and market share was 6.4%.
Fiat brand’s European sales totaled more than 46,000 for the month, a 5.7% increase over February 2013, with share at 5.2%. For the first two months, sales totaled 92,000 vehicles, a year-over-year increase of 1.3%, with share at 4.9%. In addition to the positive results in Italy, where sales were up 9.8% compared with 8.6% for the market (share increased 20 bps to 21.8%), in February Fiat also achieved year-over-year growth in the UK and Spain, with brand sales up 20.1% and 61.4% respectively. In Spain, the brand also increased market share to 4.3% from 3.1% in February a year ago.
The Fiat Panda and 500 were once again the two best-selling vehicles in the European A segment, where the brand is the clear leader with a 29.9% share (+130 bps). The Panda regained the top spot in the A segment with 14,500 nits sold, representing a 16.4% segment share. The 500 followed closely in second place with sales up 18% to nearly 12,000 vehicles and share up 150 basis points to 13.4%. The 500L also turned in a strong sales performance in February. Driven by strong performance for the 500L Living, the 500L family maintained a firm lead in its segment with sales up 40% to more than 6,700 vehicles and share up 470 basis points to 20.5%. The Freemont also continued to rank among the top 10 vehicles in its segment with a 5.1% share.
Lancia/Chrysler posted February sales of 5,600 vehicles (+2.3% year-over-year) with market share at 0.6%. For the year to date, brand sales were up 6.7% to nearly 12,500 vehicles and share was stable at 0.7%. In France, where the market contracted 1.4% over the prior year, the brand’s February sales were up 106.5% and share doubled to 0.4%.
The Ypsilon remained very popular with European consumers and sales increased 27% over the prior year.
Alfa Romeo closed the month with sales of just over 4,600 vehicles (-2.3% year-over-year) and share was 0.5%. For the year to date, brand sales were just over 9,100 vehicles (-12% versus the same period in 2013).
Results were particularly positive in Germany, Spain and Switzerland, with double-digit year-over-year increases in all three markets. In France, brand sales were up 5.8% compared with a 1.4% contraction for the market.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo posted a 28% increase in Italy, representing the sixth consecutive monthly increase, and a 13% increase in Europe overall. The Giulietta also registered significant sales increases for the month in Spain (+48%), Switzerland (+47%) and Germany (+17%).
Lancia/Chrysler posted February sales of 5,600 vehicles (+2.3% year-over-year) with market share at 0.6%. For the year to date, brand sales were up 6.7% to nearly 12,500 vehicles and share was stable at 0.7%.
In France, where the market contracted 1.4% over the prior year, the brand’s February sales were up 106.5% and share doubled to 0.4%.
Jeep posted February sales of just over 2,200 vehicles, representing a 15.4% increase, and market share was in line with the prior year at 0.2%.
For the first two months, Jeep brand sales totaled more 4,400 vehicles (+13% year-over-year) and share for the period was also in line with the prior year at 0.2%.
The brand’s February sales were up in nearly all major European markets, increasing 7% in Italy, 6.2% in Germany, 25.4% in France and 2.8% in the UK. The flagship Grand Cherokee continued as one of the best selling vehicles in its segment and share continued to increase steadily, reaching 4.3% for the month.
For Ferrari and Maserati, the Group’s luxury brands, European sales in February totaled 571 vehicles.
