Italy 1967-1968: Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Innocenti dominate, NSU Prinz #1 foreigner in record market

Alfa Romeo is the #2 carmaker in Italy all through the 1960s.

In 1967, the Italian new car market progresses at the same rate as in 1966: +14.5% to a new record 1.162.246 registrations, its second ever millionaire year. Fiat sees its share thaw slightly to a still gigantic 73.2%, distancing Alfa Romeo at 4.6%, Innocenti at 3.9%, Lancia at 3.1% and Autobianchi at 2.6%, making the Top 5 brands 100% Italian for the 2nd year running. NSU Prinz soars 3 spots to #6 to become the most popular foreign carmaker above Simca, Opel and Renault. Honda sells its very first 5 units in Italy, the first ever Japanese manufacturer to do so.

New car sales in Italy reach a plateau in 1968 with a tiny +0.5% gain to 1.167.614 units, nevertheless a third consecutive all-time record. Fiat drops over five percentage points of market share on 1967 but still represents more than 2 out of 3 passenger cars sold in the country at 67.8% of the market, its lowest since 1963. In contrast, Alfa Romeo (5.6%), Innocenti (4.4%) and Autobianchi (3.9%) all get a boost, while NSU Prinz breaks into the Top 5 brands for the first time, dislodging Lancia (#6). Simca, Opel, Renault and Volkswagen also make it into the Top 10, Honda sells 10 units.

Full Year 1967 and 1968 Top 20 brands rankings below.