Italy February 2013: VW Golf #3 in worst February in 34 years

VW Golf

* NOW UPDATED with actuals! Click on title to see the Top 50 models and All-brands *

No recovery in sight for the Italian new car market, and far from it. As the country was preparing for national elections, at 109,213 registrations new car sales are down 17% on February 2012 which was itself down 18% on February 2011… This is the 15th consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year decline for Italian car sales and the worst February since 1979 (92,227)… UNRAE predicts a Full Year 2013 at 1,326,000 units which is a drop of only 5%. This seems rather optimistic given after 2 months the market is down 17% at 223,920 units.

Mini Countryman

In this depressing context, the Fiat Panda is #1 for the 14th time in a row thanks to 9,636 sales and 8.8% share, followed once again by the Fiat Punto at 5,793 sales and 5.3%. With the new generation now trickling down into dealerships across the country, the VW Golf is up 5 spots on January to land in third place with 4,055 sales and 3.7%. This kind of seems like an honest performance, but in fact from the data I have access to this could be the first time the Golf manages to rank within the Italian podium for almost 20 years! The last time I have it officially there is in November 1993 when it ranked #3….

Other great performers this month in Italy include the Peugeot 208 up 4 ranks on last month to #7, the Nissan Qahsqai also up 4 to #8, the Mercedes A-Class stable at #17, BMW 3 Series up 10 spots to #18, Mini Countryman up to #22, Kia Sportage solid at #23, BMW 1 Series up to #28 and the Ford Ka up to #32. Notice also the Fiat 500L losing a little steam, down 5 ranks on January to #11 and the Ford B-Max stable at #38.

Previous month: Italy January 2013: Fiat 500L improves again in dire market

One year ago: Italy February 2012: Fiat Panda beats down Fiat Punto

Full February 2013 Top 50 models and All-brands Ranking Tables below.