Italy March 2021: Market up 495.7% year-on-year but down -12.4% on two years ago, Fiat Panda and 500 on top

The Fiat 500 is up to #2 at home in March. Picture quattroruote.it

One year ago, the Italian new car market was paralysed by a strict coronavirus lockdown, and logically this month sales shoot back up 495.7% year-on-year to 171.064 units. A more adequate comparison is with March 2019 which shows a -12.4% decline. Year-to-date, sales are up 28.8% to 450.687 and down -16.5% on the same period in 2019. Compared to March 2019, private sales are down just -1.3% to 104.917 and 61.3% share vs. 54.4%, self registrations skid down -33.3% to 17.259 and 10.1% share vs. 13.2%, long term leases drop -4.5% to 29.061 and 17% share vs. 15.6%, short-term rentals sink -55.7% to 10.504 and 6.1% share vs. 12.2% and company sales are up 3.7% to 9.323 and 5.5% share vs. 4.6%. In terms of fuel type, again compared to March 2019, petrol is down -33.9% to 53.072 and 31% share vs. 41.1%, diesel implodes -52.7% to 41.775 and 24.4% share vs. 45.2% but HEV is up 367.4% to 46.246 and 27% share vs. 5.1%, PHEV is up 1580.9% to 7.732 and 4.5% share vs. 0.2% and BEV up 1083.6% to 7.362 and 8.8% share vs. 0.6%.

In the brands ranking, the Top 6 is unchanged on February with Fiat up 844.9% year-on-year but down -16.5% on March 2019 and Volkswagen up 491.1% year-on-year but down -21.9% on two years ago. Following the same comparison order, Peugeot is up 665.1% and 5.1%, Ford is up 512.6% and down -12.4% Citroen up 759.6% and down -6.9% and Toyota up 680.1% and 2.6%. Suzuki (+33.2%), Skoda (+11.5%), Kia (+5.8%), Hyundai (+0.4%) and Audi (+0.1%) are the other Top 20 brands in positive when comparing with March 2019. Further down, notice Tesla (+407.8%), DR motor (+86.9%), Porsche (+70.5%), Land Rover (+32.4%), DS (+18.2%), Mazda (+6.9%) and Jaguar (+1.5%) also up vs. two years ago.

Model-wise, the Fiat Panda (+829.4% year-on-year and -20.2% on two years ago) remains by far the most popular just as Fiat manages a 1-2 with the 500 (+1330.1% and +35.9%) up 8 spots on February to #2. The Jeep Renegade (+690.6% and +46.7%) is up five ranks on last month to #3. Both nameplates knock the Lancia Ypsilon (+892.4% and -16.1%) down to #4. The Fiat 500X (+982.5% and +7.3%) advances 4 spots on last month to #5, distancing the Toyota Yaris (+1225.7% and +12.7%) down two to #6 but #3 year-to-date. The Ford Puma (+861.2%) is down five ranks to #8 and the Renault Captur (+721.1% and +5.3%) is up 18 ranks to #9.

Previous month: Italy February 2021: Ford Puma up to record third place, market down -12.3%

One year ago: Italy March 2020: Market collapses -85.4% to lowest monthly volume in 59 years, Kia up to #5, Mercedes #6

Full March 2021 Top 42 brands and Top 50 models below.