For the fifth consecutive month this year, Fiat Auto SpA has achieved record sales, successfully capturing more than 30 percent of its domestic Italian market, thereby reinforcing the sound financial footing of the Fiat Group going forward. It can also be recalled that Fiat doubled its 2006 profit forecasts for its key automotive division after strong sales helped the division post its second quarterly trading profit (49 million euros) in a row.

These impressive results have been replicated elsewhere in the Fiat Group, with Fiat Auto Brazil recording steady growth and reporting a 25 percent share of the total Brazilian new car market for 2006. Closer to home, Fiat Auto South Africa also experienced another bumper retail month in May 2006 – 53 percent up on sales when compared with the figures for May 2005.

Mr Giorgio Gorelli, Managing Director of Fiat Auto South Africa, attributes this phenomenal growth to three ‘pillars’: firstly better service, secondly a vibrant dealer network and, thirdly exciting new products.
 

With reference to the latter, which has seen Fiat Auto South Africa release an unprecedented number of new models onto the South African market in recent months, such as the Panda and low-cost Palio Vibe, the much-anticipated Alfa Romeo 159 will now be added to the local line-up when it is launched to the motoring press this week.

The Alfa 159 was launched in Italy last autumn and its progressive worldwide roll-out sees an order book that is now above 50,000, putting it well on course to achieve its first year sales targets. Recently it was joined by an estate derivative, the 159 Sportwagon, and next month an automatic version, dubbed 'Q-tronic' will arrive.