Fiat Chrysler posts another strong month in Europe

(May 19, 2015) LONDON — In April, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles outpaced industry sales growth in Europe for the fourth consecutive month with passenger car sales up 13.4% year-over-year to nearly 79,000 vehicles. The group was leader in the European A segment for the 28th consecutive month, with the Fiat 500 and Fiat Panda accounting for a combined 29.2% share.

In addition, the Fiat 500L ranked first in the Small MPV segment for the year-to-date with a 23.5% share and, in April, the Fiat 500X entered the top five in the Small SUV segment. The Jeep brand posted its 18th consecutive monthly sales increase, outpacing the industry in all major markets on the strength of the performance of the Jeep Renegade.

The European passenger car market continued the year's positive trend in April, with new registrations up 6.9% to 1,210,000 vehicles for the month and 8.1% to 4,848,000 vehicles for the four months year-to-date.

FCA outperformed the industry average once again, for the fourth month running, with April sales increasing 13.4% year-over-year to 79,000 vehicles and market share up 30 basis points to 6.5%. The Group posted increases in Italy (24.8% vs. 24.2% for the industry), France (12.3% vs. 2.3% for the industry) and Spain (11.1% vs. 3.1% for the industry).

Year-to-date, sales were up 12.1% to nearly 307,000 vehicles and share was 20 basis points higher at 6.3%.

Fiat brand also outpaced the industry, with April sales up 9.7% year-over-year to nearly 60,000 vehicles and share increasing 10 basis points to 4.9%. In the five major markets, the brand's April sales were up 21.2% in Italy, 17.0% in France and 10.3% in Spain.

Year-to-date, brand sales were up 8.7% to nearly 231,000 vehicles and share increased to 4.8% (4.7% in 2014). The brand was leader in the European A segment for the 28th consecutive month, with the Panda and 500 accounting for a combined 29.2% share.

The Panda was the top selling A-segment vehicle, with sales up 19.5% to 15,300 units and share at 14.6%, followed closely by the 500, with 15,200 units sold and segment share at 14.5%. With nearly 7,200 vehicles sold in April, the 500L family maintained its well-established leadership in the Small MPV segment, with a 21.6% share for the month and a 23.5% share for the year-to-date.

The recently launched 500X entered the European top five (first in Italy) in the Small SUV segment for the first time in April with nearly 7,000 vehicles sold and a 7.6% share. The Punto also posted a positive result for the month, with sales up 13.0% year-over-year.