Following last week’s publication of Fiat Group Automobiles’ impressive 2007 first quarter results, Fiat Auto UK has just revealed figures which underline its contribution to the company’s rapidly strengthening position. In consolidating its performance after a highly successful sales year in 2006, Fiat Auto’s UK market share stood at 2.9 percent last month (April 2007), a figure which has more than doubled in two years, (April 2005: 1.4 percent).  In terms of numbers, Fiat Auto UK sold 4,920 cars last month, compared with 2,480 in the same month two years ago. Fiat Auto UK’s year-to-date sales (January – April) totalled 20,798 cars. Fiat was up 5.9 percent year-on-year and is now the 11th biggest selling brand in the UK.

“Obviously we’re pleased at the way our business here in the UK is developing, both for us and for our dealer partners,” says Giulio Salomone, managing director of Fiat Auto UK, “particularly as we have still to introduce our new Bravo mid-size hatchback here. The launch of Bravo this summer, and the iconic new 500 to follow, together with our key priorities such as network development, customer satisfaction, business sales and the internet, will all play a major role in taking our brand to a new level here in the UK.”
 

The year-on-year increase in sales within the UK comes as Fiat continues to perform is most of Europe's big new car markets, led by another very strong month in its key domestic market. During April Fiat was up 18.1 percent year-on-year in Italy after selling 51,772 cars and light commercial vehicles, outperforming a very resilient new car market that was itself up by nearly 10 percent, to take a 25.2 pct share of all sales.

With 3,359 sales last month in Spain the Fiat brand was up 10.7 pct year-on-year to take a 2.79 pct share of the market, although in Germany it lost 11.5 pct year-on-year after shifting 7,568 units. Further a field in Australia Fiat - with 105 sales - was up by an excellent 56.7 pct year-on-year.