Italy September 2016: Fiat 500L and VW Polo shine in market up 17%

Short-term rentals push the Fiat 500L back onto the Italian podium. 

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 42 brands and Top 180 models – see title *

The August 2016 post has now been updated with the Top 180 models

The Italian new car market is up by a very robust 17.4% year-on-year in September to 153.617 units, the exact same growth rate by the year-to-date tally after nine months to 1.406.035. Local association UNRAE forecasts a Full Year score of 1.850.000 units which would be the best annual result since 2010. Rental sales boost the market with an overall 38.4% year-on-year surge to 17% share, thanks to short-term rentals shooting up 79% and long term up 31%. Reversely, this month private sales frankly lag behind with a meagre 4.8% increase, bringing their share down to 59.7% whereas they are in line with the overall market growth year-to-date at +16.2%, accounting for 61.7% of the market total.

The Lancia Ypsilon beats the market at +19% in 2nd place overall. 

Market leader Fiat follows the market at +16% to 20.8% share, slightly below its YTD level of 21.3%. Volkswagen soars 44% to 8.3% of the market, frankly distancing Ford at 6.6% (+12%), Renault at 5.7% (+34%), Opel at 5.3% (+3%), Peugeot at 4.8% (+9%) and Toyota at 4.1% (+4%). Inside the Top 10, only BMW (+25%) and Lancia (+19%) manage to outpace the market. Below, notice Smart (+24%), Hyundai (+25%), Skoda (+39%), Jeep (+47%), Alfa Romeo (+48%), Land Rover (+91%) and Honda (+132%). Among smaller volume brands, Lexus (+63%), Jaguar (+65%), Maserati (+116%) and Infiniti (+397%) take off.

VW Polo sales are up a whopping 90% year-on-year in Italy in September. 

Model-wise, the Fiat Panda marks a pause, down a disappointing 11% to 12.277 sales and 7.9%. That’s however still more than double the deliveries of its direct follower, the Lancia Ypsilon up a splendid 19% to 5.320 units and 3.4%. Potentially helped by strong short-term rental sales, the Fiat 500L surges 69% to return to the Italian podium for the first time since last June and remains the 500 family’s best-seller despite the recent facelift of the 500 up 82% to #6 and the arrival of the 500X up 22% to #7. The VW Polo delivers the largest gain in the Top 15 at a whopping +90%, with the Jeep Renegade (+56%), Hyundai Tucson (+102%) and VW Tiguan (+170%) also impressive. On top of the Panda, two additional Fiats disappoint this month: at #11 the Punto slips out of the Top 10 for the 2nd time ever after last January, and after breaking onto the podium for the first time last month the Fiat Tipo falls down 10 spots to #13 with 2.905 sales including 637 station wagons.

Previous month: Italy August 2016: Tipo nameplate back on podium after 25 years

One year ago: Italy September 2015: Fiat Panda hits 10.5% share, highest in 25 years

One year ago (detailed data): Italy September 2015: Now with Top 180 models

Full September 2016 Top 42 brands and Top 180 models below.