For the month of April, the European auto market (EU27+EFTA) registered a 1.8% increase in sales over the same month a year ago, to 1,810,000 vehicles. Fiat Group, which continued to be affected by the negative market trend in Italy, sold more than 68,000 new vehicles, with market share increasing 0.3 percentage points over March 2013 to 6.3%.
Fiat brand sales were up in all major European markets, with its best selling models retaining leadership positions in their respective segments. The new Ypsilon also performed well, with sales up 17.7% year-over-year.
The Jeep brand recorded strong growth in the UK. In April, the European auto market (EU27+EFTA) registered an increase for the first time this year, with new vehicle sales up 1.8% to 1,181,000. Year-to-date, total registrations were down 7% over the same period last year to 4,177,000 units.
Fiat Group sales – which were significantly affected by negative market conditions in Italy – totaled more than 68,000 vehicles, with market share increasing to 6.3% from 6% for March 2013. Year-to-date, the Group’s European sales totaled over 266,000 vehicles, with share at 6.4% (a decline of just 0.1 p.p. over the prior year). The Group’s results were positive in the UK, where volumes grew 10.3%, and in Spain, where sales were up 11.5% and share increased 0.1 percentage points to 3.8%. Fiat brand sold more than 52,000 vehicles for the month, representing a modest decline over April 2012 when there was a strong recovery in registrations following the car hauler strike in March 2012.
Sales increased in Spain (+30.4%), the UK (+20.3%) and France (+14.5%), with share gains also being achieved in those markets. Year-to-date, the brand has sold more than 206,000 vehicles, with share up 0.2 percentage points over the prior year to 4.9%. Increases were recorded in the UK (sales up 15.1% and share up 0.2 p.p.), Spain (sales +8.5% and share +0.4 p.p.) and France (sales +4.6% and share +0.4 p.p.). The brand’s performance was particularly positive in Belgium, where Fiat recorded a 31.7% increase in volumes (versus a 1.9% increase for the market) to around 7,000 vehicles and a 0.7 percentage point increase in share.
By model, the new Panda continues to register increases, with sales up 63.9% over the same month a year ago to more than 13,000 units and segment share at 12.5%. The 500 also turned in a strong performance, with sales increasing 19.5% to nearly 15,000 units. The Panda and the 500 continue to lead the A segment, with approximately 55,000 units of each model sold in the first four months of the year. The 500L continues its positive performance. With nearly 2,500 units sold in April, it is the undisputed leader in its segment in Italy with a 34.4% share. And with more than 23,000 units sold year-to-date, it is the second best selling vehicle in the European Small MPV segment, with a share of 15.9%. The Freemont remained firmly among the top ten in its segment in Europe and was the best selling SUV in its segment in Italy for the 22nd consecutive month, taking a share of 27.6%.
Lancia/Chrysler recorded April sales of 7,600 vehicles, with share increasing 0.1 percentage points over March 2013 to 0.7%. Year-to-date, share was 0.6% with 27,000 vehicles sold. Sales of the new Ypsilon were up 17.7% over April 2012.
Alfa Romeo closed the month with sales totaling nearly 5,900 vehicles and European market share at 0.5%. Year-to-date, share was 0.6%, with more than 23,400 vehicles sold. In Italy, the MiTo consolidated its leadership in the small compact segment on the back of the success of the SBK special edition, while the Giulietta was once again one of the best selling vehicles in its segment, driven by positive sales performance for the special edition Veloce version. Of note was performance in Spain, where Giulietta sales increased 4% over the first four months of 2012 despite an overall decline in the market.
For the Jeep brand, April sales totaled more than 1,700 vehicles, and share was stable at 0.2%. Year-to-date, the brand has sold more than 7,800 vehicles with share stable at 0.2%. The brand’s performance was particularly positive in the UK, where volumes were up 10.2% year-over-year. Year-to-date, the Grand Cherokee registered growth compared to the same period a year ago. The new Grand Cherokee, which is currently being presented to the international press, is expected to further increase the model’s success.
For Ferrari and Maserati, the Group’s luxury and performance brands, April sales in Europe totaled 485 vehicles.
