Fiat's Brazilian sales are bolstered by the arrival of the Strada (2009) in recent weeks, the market-leading compact pick-up which includes the innovative new 'Locker' locking-differential version on the Adventure option.

During August Fiat Automóveis further consolidated its leadership in the Brazilian new automobile market and now has total sales of 460,432 units during the first eight months of the year, which represents a total of 57,000 units sold ahead of the second placed brand in the rankings, VW. That volume of sales represents an overall market share in Brazil of 25 pct, and a strong year-on-year sale’s growth of 21 pct.

It means that Fiat comfortably holds onto the top spot in both market segments: for cars, with 394,377 units and a 25.4 pct market share for the year-to-date, and amongst light commercial vehicles, with a total of 66,055 units and 22.6 pct market share during the same period. Just in August, Fiat's total vehicle sales in Brazil achieved a volume of 55,873 units, which was made up of 47,229 cars and 8,554 light commercial vehicles.

Fiat Automóveis has been bolstered in its year-on-year sales increase by a range that is bursting with refreshed and new models spanning right across the traditional segments and into new ones. The facelifting of the 'Project 178' Palio family is now completed by the arrival of the revitalised Strada (2009) in recent weeks, the Brazilian commercial vehicle market-leading compact pick-up range now includes the innovative new 'Locker' (locking-differential) version on the Adventure option. The next model to join the Fiat range in Brazil will be the locally-built Linea sedan which is due for imminent release.

From January up to the end of August Fiat has manufactured 537,646 vehicles in Brazil, which is a growth of 15.2 pct compared to the volume built during the same period last year. In relation to exports though Fiat sees a year-on-year drop of 27.6 pct, with 54,553 units being exported so far during 2008.

by Claudio Perlini