Italy March-April 2017: Fiat Tipo steps up

The Fiat Tipo ranks #2 in March and #3 in April. 

* March: See the Top 45 brands and Top 180 models by clicking on the title *

* April: See the Top 45 brands and Top 50 models by clicking on the title *

In March, Italian new car sales are up 18% year-on-year to 226.163 units, lifting the year-to-date tally up 12% to 582.465. The three top-selling brands outpace the market growth: Fiat is up 20% to 22.3% share, Ford also gains 20% to 7.5% and Renault is up 36% to 7.3%. The entire Top 10 posts double-digit gains with Opel (+26%), Citroen (+25%) and Toyota (+24%) the most dynamic. Further down, notice Nissan (+27%), Jeep (+27%), Alfa Romeo (+46%), Skoda (+48%), Suzuki (+56%) and Jaguar (+81%).

Model-wise, the big event this month is the frank 2nd position of the Fiat Tipo now that all formats are in cruising sales mode with a stunning 259% year-on-year gain, earning a 4th place in the year-to-date ranking whereas it ranked 8th a month ago. The Tipo station wagon is by far the best-seller in its segment at 2.434 units, selling over double the amount of the #2, the Renault Megane. The Fiat Panda (+10%) is basically undisturbed in pole position, the Land Ypsilon follows the market at +17% in third place and the Fiat 500 climbs to 4th overall despite a 10% drop. Among recent launches, notice the Alfa Romeo Stelvio up 35 spots on February to #103 and the Land Rover Discovery reappearing at #137 with the new generation of the nameplate kicking in.

The Citroen C3 ranks 7th in Italy in April. Picture quattroruote.it 

In April, sales contract by 4.6% to 160.359 units, meaning the year-to-date tally is now up by 8% at 743.321. Market leader Fiat follows the market at -6% to 21% share while Renault (+14%) and Volkswagen (-12%) overtake Ford (-4%) to rank 2nd and 3rd respectively. Citroen (+10%) is the only double-digit gainer inside the Top 10. Beyond, Alfa Romeo (+47%) benefits from the gearing up of the Stelvio stopping just short of a Top 60 ranking this month, and Maserati (+105%) does so thanks to the Levante.

In the models ranking, the Fiat Panda stumbles 15% but remains by far in pole position, selling more than double the amount of the Lancia Ypsilon, back to #2 despite a 16% drop. The Fiat Tipo shines once again in third place with sales up 80% year-on-year and now also ranks third year-to-date above the Renault Clio and Fiat 500, down to #5 despite a dynamic 19% improvement this month. The Citroen C3 is boosted up 74% by the new generation, the Dacia Sandero is up 37% to #15, the VW Tiguan up 221% to #18, the Ford Kuga up 68% to #25 and the Peugeot 3008 up 413% to #27, all thanks to facelifts or new generations. Among recent launches, the Toyota C-HR has stabilised towards the end of the Top 40 (#37 this month) while the Audi Q2 is up 8 spots on March to #45.

Previous post: Italy February 2017: Market up 6.2%, Suzuki Ignis breaks into Top 50

One year ago (March): Italy March 2016: Recovery continues with volumes up 17%

One year ago (April): Italy April 2016: Fiat Tipo up to #13 in market up 12%

Full March Top 45 brands and Top 180 models below.

Full April Top 45 brands and Top 50 models below.