This year, Fiat aims to sell 16,000 units more in Germany than it did in 2007. Sales figures reported for the first quarter of the year certainly augur well for the future.

This year, Fiat aims to sell 16,000 units more in Germany than it did in 2007. Sales figures reported for the first quarter of the year certainly augur well for the future. Fiat's models enjoying strong demand in Germany at the moment are the Bravo and the Polish-made 500 supermini.

In 2008, Fiat wants to sell over 90,000 units in Germany, aiming to secure a market share of about 2.8%. Sales are expected to be driven mainly by the Fiat 500, which is expected to have sold approximately 15,000 copies by the end of the year. Additionally, the company is counting on a solid market performance from the Bravo with its new engine options, as well as the revamped Croma.

Fiat Germany points out its current order intake has improved considerably against the corresponding year-ago period. For example, the Fiat 500 volume is running approximately 50% ahead of the company's initial forecasts. Similarly, demand for the Panda and Grande Punto is 30-40% stronger than expected, and the same applies to the Bravo with its new petrol and diesel engines, which is giving the company plenty to cheer about. German buyers opting for the Fiat 500 are facing waiting times of three to four months, on average.

In the year-to-March period, Fiat Group Automobiles Germany AG (Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Fiat Professional) sold a combined 23,985 cars (+17%), winning a 3.26% market share. By comparison, the German automotive market at large grew by 2.56% in the period, to 735,914 units.

The company continues to enjoy robust demand for the Fiat-branded products, whose registrations totalled 21,914 during the period (+36%). The Italian automaker's top-sellers are the Grande Punto, Bravo and the 500 supermini.

Additionally, the January-March period saw Fiat Professional's van registrations (3.5t) reach 4,922 units. With sales of passenger-specification vehicles included, the tally was 8,992 combined.

Report: Samar