Italy 2006: Fiat Punto close to 10%, Panda up to 6.4%

Fiat Grande Punto

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The Italian car market is up 4% this year at 2,321,321 registrations. The Top 5 best selling models are unchanged, with the Fiat Punto/Grande Punto in the lead at 229,649 sales and 9.9% share, up 32%. This figure is split between 167,414 Grande Puntos and 62,235 Puntos (Bestsellingcars estimation).

Fiat Panda

The Fiat Panda continues to progress year after year, at 148,908 units and 6.4% in 2006. It passed another benchmark this year: after debuting at 4.2% share in October 2003, passing 5% in December 2003 and 6% in July 2005, it was above 7% share for the first time in September 2006.

The Ford Fiesta is very solid at #3 and 3.3%, ahead of the Toyota Yaris and Lancia Ypsilon, both at 2.8%. The Renault Clio is up 5 spots at #8. The Opel Corsa new generation was an instant hit in Italy, already ranking 5th in November. The all new Peugeot 207 peaked at #6 in September, the Opel Meriva was at best-ever #9 in June and the Toyota Aygo delivered an amazing 5th place in December.

Alfa Romeo 159

Other models lodging their best-ever position this year include the BMW 3 Series, #12 in December, the Lancia Musa, #12 in June and the Fiat Croma, #18 in November. The best new entrant in the Top 50 is the Alfa Romeo 159 at #21 with 26,925 sales and 1.2%, peaking at #16 in May.

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

Next year: Italy 2007: Fiat Punto and Panda lead, Bravo and 500 arrive

Full Year Top 50 and every Monthly Top 40 Ranking Tables below.