Italy 1951-1955: Fiat Topolino boosts market to over 100.000 annual sales for the first time

The Fiat Topolino brings the car to the Italian masses post-war.

In 1951, the Italian market grows 11% to sign a 4th consecutive record year at 88.754 units, with local passenger cars production hitting 119.267 and exports 28.905.

1952 is a year of consolidation, with sales edging up 0.4% to 89.086, a 5th straight record, production down -4.7% to 113.619 and exports down -13.3% to 25.070. Data by brand starts to appear for the first time, showing Fiat at 101.700 (or 90% of the national production), Lancia at 8.000 (7%) and Alfa Romeo at 3.500 (3%).

In 1953, annual new car sales in Italy cross the 100.000 mark for the first time thanks to a 25.8% surge. Production soars 25.7% to 142.861 and exports are up 20.3% 30.155. Fiat production is up 29.1% to 131.324 or 92% of the national volume, Lancia down 4% to 7.658 and Alfa Romeo stable at 3.477.

In 1954, the Italian new car market continues to progress at +22.5% to 137.311 units, production is up 26.5% to 180.760 and exports up 35.2% to 40.758. Fiat production is up 24.3% to 163.300 or 90% of the national volume, Lancia is up 54.1% to 11.800, Alfa Romeo up 9.3% to 3.800 and Isetta appears with 1.300 units.

1955 sales soar another 17.9% to mark an 8th consecutive all-time volume record at 161.903 units while production advances even faster at +27.7% to 230.833. Fiat productions crosses the 200.000 annual mark for the first time at 217.937, up 33.5% on 1954 and representing 94% of the national total, Lancia spectacularly falls -44.3% to 6.572, now threatened by Alfa Romeo up 55.8% to 5.919. Isetta sinks to just 105.

Full Year 1951 to 1955 total annual sales volumes below.