Fiat introduced this month to the Brazilian market the 2009 'Model Year' of the Doblò and Idea, with the Adventure versions coming equipped with the electronic 'Locker' differential system.

Fiat Automóveis has increased its leadership in the Brazilian market with 335,886 units sold during the first half of the year. The result represents 25.1 percent of the total market for cars and light commercial vehicles, a growth of 26.4 pct compared to the same period of 2007.

In June Fiat sold 61,742 units, the best month in its history since the start of the brand’s operations in Brazil in 1976, which also consolidates its position as the market leader, now 45,800 units ahead of Volkswagen, the second brand in the rankings, so far this year.

The best performances posted by Fiat models were registered by its latest releases in the market. The Stilo’s sales reached 8,466 units during the semester, which represented a growth of 56 pct compared to 2007. The 5-door hatchback is the second best seller in its segment, overcoming the VW Golf and reducing the gap in relation to the leader, Chevrolet Astra.

The Fiat Siena, in the second position among compact sedans, with 50,647 units sold after six months, kept its pace of increasing sales, growing 32.6 pct over the same period of the previous year. The Punto, with less than one year’s presence in the market, achieved 22,425 units sold, keeping hold of its leadership in the compact premium segment. Other Fiat models performed well: the Palio keeps hold of second position, and Uno fourth, in the overall ranking of sales.

The Palio Weekend and Idea are also in second position in their segments, however, the Palio Weekend took over the leadership in June, when the facelifted model was released. In the commercial vehicle segment, the Strada, Doblò and Ducato each retained leadership in their respective segments.

Fiat’s Brazilian production of 402,238 units in the first six months was also a record for the period, a grown of 20 pct compared to the volume produced during the first semester of 2007, just in June 71,152 units were produced. The external market though kept its negative pattern, registering a drop of 20 pct in the year, with Fiat’s exports achieving the figure of 40,643 units.

Fiat’s overall Brazilian sales in the first six months by model:

Palio: 110,859

Mille: 67,922

Siena: 50,647

Strada: 33,620

Punto: 22,425

Idea: 14,510

Palio Weekend: 9,592

Fiorino: 9,426

Stilo: 8,466

Doblò: 4,279

Ducato: 3,531

Fiat introduced this month to the Brazilian market the 2009 'Model Year' of the Doblò and Idea, with the Adventure versions coming equipped with the electronic 'Locker' differential system. The prices [standard versions] for the new range of models are as follows: Idea Adventure Locker: £17,853; Idea HLX 1.8: £16,408; Idea ELX 1.4: £13,536; Doblò Adventure Locker: £19,545; Doblò HLX 1.8: £17,900; Doblò ELX 1.8: £ 15,796; Doblò Cargo: £ 14,542.

by Claudio Perlini