Italy March 2013: Fiat 500L up to #4, outsells 500!

Fiat 500L

* NOW UPDATED with actuals for the Top 50 models/Top 45 brands! Click on title to see *

The Italian new car market slows down its fall in March to just -5% year-on-year at 132,353 registrations, still the 15th consecutive month in negative. Year-to-date, sales are down 13% to 357,000 units. This month’s podium is identical to the 2013 year-to-date and Full Year 2012 ones: the Fiat Panda leads the way with 10,559 sales and 8% share followed by the Fiat Punto at 5,877 units and 4.4% and the Lancia Ypsilon with 4,585 units and 3.5%. Note that 4.4% is the Punto nameplate’s lowest ever market share in the country since its original launch in November 1993 and only the 5th time it ever dives below 5% share after August 2012 (4.6%), October 2012 (4.7%), September 2008 (4.7%) and November 2012 (4.8%)…

VW Golf

Punto sales may have been impacted by the star of the month which is operating in the same segment: the Fiat 500L smashes its ranking, volume and share records in March at #4 with 4,535 sales and 3.4%, only falling 50 units short of a spot on the podium… As I mentioned a week ago, the 500L is turning out to be a solid success at home and for the first time this month it has now outsold its lil sis the Fiat 500 at #7 and 3,632 units… Up to #3 in February, the VW Golf is down to a still shiny #5 in March with 4,246 sales and 3.2%.

Nissan Qashqai

Another model to beat all its Italian records this month is the Nissan Qashqai. Unbelievably, almost 4 years after its facelift it is up a further two spots on February to reach an all-time best 6th position with 4,142 sales and 3.1%, its first time above 3% share in Italy. Its previous bests were #7 and 3,448 units in January 2009 and 2.4% share last month. Notice also the Nissan Juke up 11 ranks on February to #16, the Mercedes A-Class solid at #20, VW Up! up 18 to #24, Dacia Sandero up 20 to #25, Audi A3 up 17 to #31, Ford B-Max up 5 to #33, Range Rover Evoque up to #34 and the Kia Cee’d (#46) and Toyota Auris (#48) making their first appearance in the Italian Top 50 in years.

Previous month: Italy February 2013: VW Golf up to #3 in worst February in 34 years

One year ago: Italy March 2012: Fiat Panda #1 for third month in a row

Full March 2013 Top 50 models and Top 45 brands Ranking Tables below.