Alfa Romeo’s sales resurgence in the UK continued during September, with the Italian sporting car manufacturer also recording one of the highest year-to-date increases of any brand while Fiat also comfortably beat the market's rise.

New car registrations were up 11.4 percent in September to 367,929 units in the UK with the scrappage incentive scheme continuing to provide the stimulus for growth. Both Alfa Romeo and Fiat were able to tap into small car demand which continues to grow in the UK, with mini volumes up 195.0 percent and the supermini segment up 21.2 percent in the month.

Alfa Romeo recorded a remarkable 148.5 percent rise in 59 plate registrations for the month, to deliver 1,978 new cars to UK customers. In September, Alfa Romeo’s market share was 0.54 percent, more than double (125 percent increase) its presence in the UK car market compared to September last year. Fiat also outperformed the market with 11,712 registrations, up 19.29 percent year-on-year which gave it a 3.18 percent share of the market for the month, up from 2.97 percent in September 2008. Abarth sold 212 cars last month to take a 0.05 percent share of the market, but its year-on-year data is unreliable as yet as it was re-launched in the UK only last summer.

Not only has the Italian sporting car brand recorded one of the largest month-to-date percentage increases in the UK market, Alfa Romeo is one of just three manufacturers to record an overall rise in sales during 2009 – an even more impressive achievement when the current economic climate is taken into consideration. Alfa Romeo in the UK so far this year has seen 7,135 sales for the year-to-date, up 40.4 percent on the same period last year. Fiat has 42,294 registrations for the year-to-date, down 9.40 percent year-on-year, although still well above the overall market's 15.46 percent fall. Abarth has 973 sales for the year-to-date.

For Alfa Romeo, the Alfa MiTo – the marque’s new sporty compact model – leads the way with sales, supported by the Alfa 159, Brera and Spider which have all contributed positively to the brand’s success. Alfa Romeo UK Sales Director, Andrew Sproston says: “This is great news for all concerned. Our growth is in-line with the expectations and objectives we set out at the beginning of the year. The hard work and investment we have put into the restructure of this iconic brand is now starting to pay off, and has played a vital part in our improved sales. Across the board, Alfa Romeo is returning to its rightful position as a leading quality brand, and customers are taking note. Built up over the past few years, our new product range has been complemented by our improved dealer network, better training and servicing, and dedicated attention to customer care.”

The scrappage incentive scheme continues to boost the UK market. Registrations rose by 11.4 percent in September. Modest 2.5 percent growth had been forecast, on a weak 2008 outturn. The market was almost 30,000 units above forecast, but still 51,361 units down on the 2007 September market and 9.5 percent off the average for the month between 1999-2008. The September market this year is likely to be the largest month of sales in 2009, accounting for almost 20 percent of annual volumes. The market was 54,017 units up on the volume recorded in March. In the previous five years, March had been the largest monthly market. Demand in the last three months has risen by 8.3 percent, but remains down 15.5 percent or 277,380 units for the year-to-date and down over 400,000 over the past 12 months. Private demand again rose strongly, up 41.3 percent, boosted by the scrappage scheme, and year-to-date volumes are now within 1.9 percent of last year’s level. Alternatively fuelled vehicle registrations rose 45.5 percent in September, due to new models. The Ford Fiesta was the best selling model in the month, for the seventh time in 2009. New cars averaged 150.2g/km of CO2 over the year-to-date, 4.9 percent down on the full year 2008 performance and 20.9 percent below the level recorded in 1997.