Italy August 2013: Punto teases Panda in worst August in 51 years

Fiat Punto

* NOW UPDATED with actuals for the Top 50 models and Top 40 brands! Click on title to see *

* There is now an August Top 150 models ranking available here *

In August, new car sales in Italy are down 7% compared to last year to just 53,310 registrations. This is the lowest August figure since 1962 when 49,766 cars were registered and the worst month (full stop) in 46 years, since December 1967 (48,974). The year-to-date total is now down 9% on 2012 to 897,529 units and as I predicted in my article Will the European new car market ever grow again? it looks like the car population in Italy will decrease in 2013 for only the 2nd time since World War II. In the models ranking, if the Fiat Panda celebrates 20 consecutive months in pole position, it is down 30% year-on-year to 3,487 sales and threatened by the Fiat Punto, up 33% to 3,481 units and 6.5%, its strongest market share since April 2012 and the closest it’s been to ranking #1 since December 2011.

The last time August new car sales were so low in Italy, the Fiat 600 was #1.

The Fiat 500L breaks into the Italian podium for the very first time at #3 with 2,006 sales and 3.8% which is also its new record market share in the country. This means the 500L outsells the 500 for the 2nd consecutive month and the third time ever. I know I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but in these tough times low cost models are kicking arse and like in Germany, Spain and France, the Dacia Sandero is testing new heights in Italy, up 7 spots to a best-ever #12 thanks to 990 units and 1.9% share, and I indeed saw quite a few new gen Sanderos during my visit to Ventimiglia last week.

The Dacia Sandero is up to a best-ever #12 in Italy this month.

Other great performers this month in Italy include the Audi A3 up 6 ranks to #19, the Renault Captur breaking into the Italian Top 20 for the first time at #20, the Hyundai i35 up 6 to #22 (2nd best-ever ranking), the Hyundai i20 up 21 to smash its record Italian ranking at #23 (previous best: #43!), the Kia Sportage up 2 to #25, Hyundai i10 up 17 to #28, Opel Mokka up 5 to a best-ever #33, Fiat Bravo back up 63 spots to #37 and the BMW 5 Series up 49 to #42. In the Station Wagons ranking, the Audi A4 takes the lead this month with an unbelievable 95% SW ratio, but the BMW 3 Series keeps the lead year-to-date while the Renault Clio is up to #4 and the Chevrolet Cruze up to #8.

Photo Report: Italy August 2013: It’s a Fiat 500-mania – Photo report

Previous post: Italy July 2013: Now with the Top 150 best-selling models!

Previous month: Italy July 2013: Fiat 500L above 500 for the second time

One year ago: Italy August 2012: Lowest August since 1962, Fiat Panda at highest in 30 years

One year ago (Station Wagons): Italy SW August 2012: Opel Astra back in control

Full August 2013 Top 50 models, Top 10 station wagons and Top 44 All-brands below.