The Fiat Punto (Grande Punto Abarth version, top) returned to its customary position as Italy's best-selling car after being beaten by the Panda in June; meanwhile the new Alfa MiTo (above) is starting to make its presence felt with 195 being registered in July.

The Italian new car market suffered more falls last month, losing 10.88 pct year-on-year; however Fiat Group, with 5 models amongst the top-8 best sellers, was able to ride out much of the downturn once again, ending the month having shed 5.07 pct and raising its market share by two percentage points to 30.46 pct. The data released by automotive trade body UNRAE reveals that 190,889 new passenger cars were registered in Italy last month as opposed to 214,193 in July 2007, while for the year-to-date the market has seen 1,452,459 registrations, down 11.24 pct on the first seven months of last year.

Fiat Group saw 61,946 units registered last month down 5.07 pct compared to 65,246 during the same period last year, while at the same time it outperformed the overall market to raise its share of its home market from 30.47 to 32.46 pct. The Fiat brand (including Fiat Professional) turned in 46,824 registrations last month, down 5.52 pct on July 2007 when 49,560 sales were achieved; this raised its market share from 23.14 to 24.53 pct year-on-year.

Lancia saw 8,663 units registered last month, putting it down 4.5 pct compared to the 9,071 units it achieved during the same period a year ago, while its market share climbed from 4.23 to 4.54 pct. Alfa Romeo achieved 5,953 unit sales last month, down 7.2 pct on 6,415 units in July 2007, while its July market share climbed from 2.99 to 3.12pct year-on-year. 

For the year-to-date the Fiat brand has seen 367,964 units registered, down 6.52 pct, but with its market share increased to 24.05 to 25.33 pct year-on-year. Lancia has 62,867 units after seven months, down 11.16 pct, but with its market share almost unchanged, 4.32 pct in July 2007 compared to 4.33 pct last month. Alfa Romeo meanwhile has 33,920 units year-to-date, down 32.35 pct, which sees its market share slip from 3.06 to 2.34 pct.

Five of the top-eight best selling cars in Italy last month were provided by Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA), with, just like last month, another clean sweep of the top-three. After uncharacteristically slipping from the top spot in June, the Fiat Punto (12,854) now in 'Model Year' format was back in its customary position in July, ahead of the Fiat Panda (11,964) and the Car of the Year 2008 award winning Fiat 500 (8,176). The other FGA players in the top-eight were Lancia’s Ypsilon (4,044) in sixth and Fiat’s Bravo (3,913) in eighth. The other top-eight sellers in Italy to interlope in July were the Ford Fiesta (6,017), Toyota Yaris (5,117) and Ford Focus (4,028). For the year-to-date the Punto (112,417) is the clear market leader ahead of the Panda (93,680) and the 500 (60,424). The Ypsilon (38,905) and Bravo (32,852) complete FGA’s presence in the top-ten for the year-to-date.

While the Panda and Punto topped A- and B-segments respectively last month, the Bravo was second in C-segment, just 115 units shy of the best selling Ford Focus. For the year-to-date the Bravo (32,834) though retains its position as the segment best-seller. In D-segment there was a welcome return to the top of the class for the Alfa 159 (3,088) which just beat off the Audi A4 (3,001) and Fiat Croma (2,180). For the year-to-date the Croma (16,727) is the best seller in D-segment with the Alfa 159 (16,603) in a very close third.

Elsewhere FGA had even more success, the Fiat Sedici (1,404) was top of the class for small SUV cars and after seven months it is top of the segment with 8,704 units sold while July saw the Fiat Multipla (1,951) continue its recent return to form amongst the compacts MPVs, and for the year-to-date it has achieved 11,264 registrations. The Musa (2,563) topped its class in July and after the first seven months of the year the ‘City Limo’ has 19,635 unit sales, more than 5,000 ahead of its nearest rival. Alfa Romeo’s Brera (215) had a good month in the coupe category; it was up into third place, one slot ahead of its smaller sister, the MiTo (195) which is now making its presence felt. Making it three Alfa Romeos in the top-six was the Alfa GT (195). Finally, in ‘Multispace’ the Fiat Doblò (453) was second; however the Turkish-built car tops the category for the year-to-date (3,813).