Fiat Chrysler Automobiles posted European sales of 69,500 vehicles in April, a year-over-year increase of 1.5%. The Fiat 500 and Panda remained the two best selling vehicles in the A segment, with a combined share of nearly 30%. The 500L registered its 22nd consecutive month of sales increases and continued to lead its segment with a 23.9% share. Jeep achieved double-digit growth in nearly all major markets.
The European passenger car market (EU28+EFTA) continued the year’s positive sales trend with new registrations up 4.2% in April to 1,130,000 vehicles. For the four months year-to-date, sales increased 7.1% to more than 4,483,000 vehicles.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles posted European sales of 69,500 vehicles, representing a 1.5% increase over April 2013. Share was down marginally to 6.2% (-10 bps). Sales were up in Germany (+3.3% versus a 3.6% decline for the market), France (+1.2%), the UK (+9.3% versus 8.2% for the market) and Spain, where April sales were up 46.9%, compared with 28.7% for the market.
Year to date, Group sales totaled more than 273,000 vehicles (an increase of 2.5% over the same period in 2013) and market share was 6.1% (versus 6.4%).
Fiat brand posted European sales of more than 54,000 vehicles for the month, a 3% increase over April 2013, with market share down 10 basis points to 4.8%.
For the year to date, brand sales were up 2.5% to more than 212,000 vehicles, with share at 4.7% (4.9% in 2013). April sales were up 4.1% in Italy, compared with 1.9% for the market. Fiat brand also achieved sales increases in Germany (+1.7%), the UK (+8.4%) and Spain (+46.6%).
The 500 and the Panda remained the two best selling vehicles in the A segment, with a combined share of nearly 30%. For the 500, April sales were up 7% to 16,000 units, with segment share at 16.4%. For the Panda, sales totaled nearly 13,000 units and share was 13.2%.
For the 500L, sales were up 95.9% to more than 9,800 vehicles, making April the 22nd consecutive month of year-over-year sales growth. In addition, the 500L continued as segment leader with a 23.9% share.
Lancia/Chrysler posted April sales of 6,200 vehicles (-18.4% year-over-year) and European market share was 0.6% (-10 bps). For the year to date, brand sales were down 1.8% to 26,500 vehicles and share was stable at 0.6%.
April sales results were positive in France, with share increasing 30 basis points to 0.5%, and Spain, where the brand’s market share doubled to 0.4%. For the first four months, European sales of the Ypsilon increased 14.5% over the same period in 2013.
Alfa Romeo closed the month with sales of 5,400 vehicles (-7.7% year-over-year) and share stable at 0.5%. Year to date, brand sales totaled 21,500 vehicles (-8.2% versus the same period in 2013) with share at 0.5% (-10 bps). April sales were particularly positive in Spain (year-over-year increase of 16%), Switzerland (+10%) and the Netherlands (+10%). The MiTo registered its 8th consecutive monthly increase in Italy (+9.7%), continuing its leadership in the 3-door small compact segment.
Jeep posted another strong performance in April, with sales up 51.9% to more than 2,600 vehicles and market share in line with the prior year at 0.2%. The brand achieved significant increases in all major European markets. Sales were up 58.8% in Italy, 23.7% in Germany, 131.9% in France, 44% in the UK and 5.1% in Spain.
For the year to date, Jeep brand sales were up 27.5% year-over-year, passing the 10,000 vehicle mark. The Grand Cherokee continued as one of the best selling vehicles in its segment with sales up 88% for the month and 58.5% for the year to date. The new Cherokee – which was launched during the month – will make its first full monthly contribution in May.
For Ferrari and Maserati, the Group’s luxury brands, European sales totaled 890 vehicles in April and 2,983 vehicles for the year to date.