Italy May 2015: Fiat Punto up 30%, Fiat 500X recedes outside Top 10

Italian customers still can’t get the facelifted Fiat Punto available in India since August 2014.

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 50 models by clicking on the title *

The Italian new car market is all smiles, posting a fifth consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year gains in May at +10% to 147.087 registrations, however after +11% in January, +13% in February, +15% in March and +24% in April the pace is decelerating. The year-to-date total stands at 729.309 units, up 15% and almost 100.000 sales over the same period a year ago (633.762). Both Fiat (+13%) and Volkswagen (+17%) outpace the market atop the brands ranking, while Ford (+5%) and Renault (-2%) lose market share. Opel (+10%), Peugeot (+14%) and Mercedes (+13%) also shine inside the Top 10 whereas Toyota (-6%) and Lancia (-8%) disappoint. Further down, Dacia (+26%), Kia (+37%), Smart (+76%) and Jeep (+185%) impress.

Ford Ecosport

In the models ranking, below the Fiat Panda very regular at high levels (7.6% share), the Fiat Punto confirms it is enjoying a significant regain of form with sales up 30% on May 2014 in 2nd place for the 2nd month running – yet the facelift available in India since August 2014 still hasn’t reached Italian shores… The Fiat 500L (-10%) is back up to #3 above the Lancia Ypsilon and Fiat 500 (-9%) while the Fiat 500X recedes outside the Top 10 at #14 and third best-selling crossover this month below the Nissan Qashqai (#12) and Opel Mokka (#13). The Renault Clio is threatened for the title of most popular foreigner by the VW Golf at 4.256 sales vs. 4.226, the Kia Sportage is up 43% to #23, the Peugeot 308 up 66% to #25 (60% of its 2015 sales are station wagons), the VW Passat up 40% to #31 and the Ford Ecosport back up 32 ranks to #34.

Previous post: Italy April 2015: Now with the Top 170 best-selling models

Previous month: Italy April 2015: Fiat 500X in Top 10

One year ago: Italy May 2014: Fiat 500L #2 again, Punto down to #6

Full May 2015 Top 45 All-brands and Top 50 models below.