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Italy Full Year 2016: 6 Italian models in Top 7 for first time in 32 years

Lancia Ypsilon Italy February 2016Unique survivor of the Lancia lineup, the Ypsilon surprises and gains 18% in 2016.

* Now updated with the Top 50 brands, Top 230 models, Top 40 LCV brands and Top 140 LCV models *

Consult 60 years of Italian Historical Data here

Originally slated for a 7% growth by UNRAE, 2016 ends on a much higher note, even replicating 2015’s growth rate at +16% to lodge a second consecutive year of double-digit gains at 1.824.968 registrations. This is the highest annual volume since 2010 (1.961.559) and marks an additional 465.000 annual sales in two years. As UNRAE notes, the great health of the Italian car market contrasts with many other durable goods segments, and that’s because it has been lifted by two significant measures throughout the course of the year. Over the first half, manufacturers competed with particularly aggressive commercial actions that led to a boost in private sales. In the second half of the year however, two tax reduction measures by the government, the Superammortamento and New Sabatini, favoured sales to businesses. As a result, looking at the Italian car market by channel in 2016, business sales are by far the most dynamic at +28% to 340.193 units for a 18.4% market share vs. 16.7% a year ago. Rental sales are up 17% (long term +18%, short term +14%) to 366.983 and 19.8% share vs. 19.7% in 2015. Finally private sales, although quite strong at +13% to 1.141.217, see their market share drop from 63.5% last year to 61.8% in 2016, their lowest ever level.

fiat-panda-italy-2016-picture-courtesy-quattroruote-itThe Fiat Panda has now dominated the Italian sales charts for five consecutive years. 

The Top 7 best-selling brands remain unchanged on the 2015 order, with both leaders Fiat (21.1% share) and Volkswagen (7.6%) gaining 17% year-on-year, a rate only slightly higher than the market. Ford (+14%) lags behind but remains in third place, resisting Renault up a very vigorous 25% to 118.283 sales and 6.5% share, and distancing Opel (+7%), Peugeot (+11%) and Toyota (+9%). Lancia (+17%) takes advantage of Nissan’s drop (-4%) to gain one spot to #8, Mercedes surges 20% to break into the Top 10 at #9, overtaking Audi (+17%) at the last minute to snap the luxury crown. BMW (+20%) also shines in the luxury aisle, while further down Skoda (+28%), Jeep (+35%), Mazda (+48%), Ferrari (+49%), Maserati (+51%), Ssangyong (+59%), Honda (+98%), Jaguar (+198%) and Infiniti (+393%) all deliver spectacular gains. Along with Nissan, Mahindra (-12%) and DS (-20%) are the only other Top 40 manufacturers to see their volumes drop year-on-year.

Italy 2016 – monthly sales by channel:

italy-2016-12-by-channel

In the models ranking, the Fiat Panda lodges a fifth consecutive annual win, evolving exactly like the market at +16% to 147.275 sales for an identical 8.1% market share. This is the Panda’s highest annual volume since 2009 (171.887). An indication of the implacable domination of the Panda, it outsells all carmakers bar Fiat, with Volkswagen coming the closest at 139.057. See our Photo Report on driving a Panda in Sardinia here. Unique survivor of the Lancia lineup and logically headed towards the annihilation of the brand (like before it Autobianchi), the Ypsilon has found its place within the Fiat offer as an equally posh but larger Fiat 500. It surprises in 2016 with sales up by a robust 18% to 65.655, comfortably ranking in 2nd position. It also has to thank the demise of the Fiat Punto: -22% to #7. The Fiat 500L (+6%) loses share but accesses the podium at #3, lifted by strong sales to rental companies. It is followed by the Renault Clio, the best-selling foreign nameplate for the third year in a row and hitting its highest ever annual ranking in Italy at #4 (also reached in 1992).

fiat-500x-italy-2016-picture-courtesy-quattroruote-itThe Fiat 500X brilliantly breaks into the annual Top 5 in 2016. 

The Fiat 500X jumps 42% to break into its home Top 5 with 46.233 sales, distancing the Fiat 500 up just 11% despite a facelift. This means there are five Fiats and six Italian models among the 2016 Top 7 best-sellers. This is the heaviest presence of homemade nameplates inside the Top 7 annual charts in 32 years (since 1984!). The Ford Fiesta (+8%), VW Polo (+19%) and VW Golf (+9%) round up the Top 10. Below the Peugeot 208 (+22%) and Jeep Renegade (+49%), the most popular newcomer in 2016 is the Fiat Tipo, resurrecting a nameplate originally launched in 1988. It lands at #14 for its first full year of sales but peaked at #3 in Augustthe first time the Tipo nameplate appeared on the Italian podium since 1991 and will be aiming at a Top 10 ranking in 2017, strong with sedan, hatch and station wagon, the latter topping its segment in both November and December. The Hyundai Tucson (#22), VW Tiguan (#31), Renault Kadjar (#32), Audi A4 (#35), Kia Rio (#42) and BMW X1 (#45) also improve spectacularly compared to 2015.

The Fiat Ducato is the best-selling LCV in Italy in 2016.

The Italian Light Commercial Vehicles market is in even better shape, surging 49.8% year-on-year to 200.445 registrations thanks to an advantageous tax environment. This is the largest annual LCV sales volume in Italy since 2008 (223.497). Fiat (+58%) even manages to beat its home market to improve its LCV share from 34.2% to 36.1%, while Ford (+86%) posts the largest gain in the Top 13 to snap the 2nd spot overall off Renault (+47%). Below Peugeot (+27%), Citroen (+32%) overtakes Iveco (+17%) even though both manufacturers lose share year-on-year. Kia (+865%), Hyundai (+164%), Seat (+133%), Volvo (+125%), Mitsubishi (+102%), Toyota (+99%) and Skoda (+91%) are among the most dynamic further down. The Fiat Ducato is the best-selling LCV in Italy with 9.5% share above the Fiat Doblo, Panda Van and Fiorino with the Iveco Daily rounding up a Top Five 100% Italian. The Ford Ranger (#28) is the #1 pickup ahead of the Mitsubishi L200 (#37) and Nissan Navara (#39.

Previous post: Italy December 2016: Renault Clio stays on podium in market up 13%

Previous year: Italy Full Year 2015: Fiat Panda leads, 500X and Jeep Renegade superstars

Two years ago: Italy Full Year 2014: Podium 100% Fiat for 2nd time in 15 years

Full Year 2016 Top 50 All-brands, Top 230 models, Top 40 LCV brands and Top 140 LCV models vs. Full Year 2015 figures below.

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