Following a strong first quarter sales performance in the UK, where they sold 14,875 units, which equated to a 2.2 percent overall market share, a result which was driven by customer demand for its new 'compact' Fiat Grande Punto model, Fiat Auto UK’s sales success continued throughout April, the brand more than doubling its market share last month year-on-year with a 2.85 pct share of the market after shifting 4,644 units, comparing very favourably to the same month of last year when Fiat's market share was just 1.38 pct.

"We are delighted to have doubled our market share last month, and we have been able to do so because customer demand for our new Grande Punto is so strong," says Giulio Salomone, managing director, Fiat Auto UK. "We are performing at a higher level than we forecast at the beginning of the year, and we are now introducing our new Sedici 4x4 SUV, which has already had tremendous success since it went on sale in Italy. We are confident that with the enthusiastic support of our dealer network, and the dedicated efforts of our team in Slough, 2006 will be a great year for Fiat in the UK."