Italy 2005: Fiat Punto gives way to Grande Punto, Panda shines

Fiat Punto

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Car sales in Italy are stable in 2005 at 2,237,456 registrations (-1%). Big event in 2005: the Fiat Punto is replaced by the Grande Punto in September and together the two models sell 173,632 units to stay #1 at 7.8% share. The Fiat Panda goes from strength to strength, up 17% at 131,124 units and a very strong 5.9% share.

Fiat Grande Punto

Now let’s go into a bit more detail because UNRAE changed the way it reported Punto and Grande Punto figures just when it was getting interesting… The Fiat Punto held the #1 spot all the way through to August. In September, when the Grande Punto launched, the Punto dropped to 6.1%, giving up the leadership to the Fiat Panda, up to a best-ever (for the new generation) 6.3% share. It was the first time since October 93 that the Punto did not lead the Italian ranking.

Fiat Panda

The Panda was #1 again in October with 6.2% vs. 5.1% for the Punto. In the meantime, the Grande Punto sold 1,834 units in Sept (#32) and 5,555 in Oct (#4). In November, Punto and Grande Punto sales were fused together at 18,147 units and 10.1%, #1 by far. From now on sales of both models would be counted together.

A testimony to the fragmentation of the Italian market, the Ford Fiesta lodged sales virtually identical to last year at 69,964 units (3.1%) but jumped 4 spots to #3, ahead of the Lancia Ypsilon (2.9%), Toyota Yaris (2.8%) and Citroen C3 (2.6%).

Fiat Idea

The Opel Astra gains a massive 19 spots and 110% to land #7 with 55,018 sales. It was even #5 for four months. Other interesting performances include the Nissan Micra ranking 9th twice, the Opel Meriva breaking into the Top 10 for the first time in June, the Fiat Idea reaching #11 in June and the Mercedes A Class ranking #14 in August, both best-ever positions.

Previous year: Italy 2004: Fiat Punto and Panda dominate, Lancia Ypsilon #4

Next year: Italy 2006: Fiat Punto close to 10%, Fiat Panda at 6.4%

Full Year Top 40 and every Monthly Top 10/20/30 Ranking Tables below.