Italy July 2015: Fiat 500X up to #7, best-seller in the 500 family

The Fiat 500X hits its best monthly ranking so far at home in 7th place overall.

* NOW UPDATED with actuals for the Top 45 best-selling brands and Top 50 models *

New car sales in Italy post double digit year-on-year gains for the 14th time in a row in July at +14.5% to 131.489 registrations, lifting the year-to-date total above 1 million at 1.005.409 units, returning to its level of 1980 and up 15% on the same period in 2014 when only 872.000 new cars had found a new home. Fiat follows the market at +15% and 21.2% share while Volkswagen loses some ground at just +9% and 8% share, but Ford (+18%) and Opel (+32%) over-perform below. Peugeot, Toyota (+17%), Porsche (+20%), Volvo (+25%), Citroen (+26%), Mazda (+28%), Skoda (+45%), Lexus (+72%), Jaguar (+90%), Smart (+91%) and of course Jeep (+247%) also shine.

The Ford Ecosport has found its place inside the Italian Top 40.

Over in the models ranking, the Fiat Panda continues its solo domination, once again outpacing the market with sales up 25% over July 2014 to 11.238 units and 8.5% share, more than double any other nameplate in the country.  The Fiat Punto has found itself a respite thanks to bargain basement prices at #2 both in July (4.2%) and now also year-to-date (3.6%), outselling the Lancia Ypsilon despite the latter improving by 23% this month. Three foreigners follow: the Renault Clio (+1%), VW Golf (+16%) and Polo (+21%).

The Fiat 500 (-35%) is not enjoying the benefits of its facelift just yet.

But the main event in the Italian July Top 10 is the Fiat 500X climbing to a best-ever 7th place with a forceful 3.241 sales and 2.5% share – this way becoming the 500 family best-seller above the 500L at #9 (-8%) and the 500 at #10 (-35%), marking a pause just before its long-awaited but discreet facelift takes effect. Outside the Top 10, notice the Nissan Qashqai up 25% to #11, the Opel Corsa up 43% to #14, Citroen C3 up 35% to #16, the Jeep Renegade holding its place inside the Top 20 at #19, the Smart Fortwo up 38% to #21 and Peugeot 308 up 97% to #25.

Previous post: Italy 1st Half 2015: SUV craze energises market up 15%

Previous month (1): Italy June 2015: Citroen C4 Cactus in Top 30

Previous month (2): Italy June 2015: Now available with Top 180 best-selling models

One year ago: Italy July 2014: Fiat Punto, Renault Clio and Dacia Duster surge

Full July 2015 Top 45 brands and Top 50 models below.