Many new Fiat deals were struck during last month, as the manufacturer enjoyed a bumper start to the 2014-plate year.
Fiat recorded increases in volume and market share across all of its passenger car brands. Indeed, the cars, such as the ever popular Panda and 500, sold so well the month became the company's best for sales in a decade.
A look at the stats shows Fiat sold 15,038 cars in March – the highest number of registrations since March 2004 and a massive 24.5 per cent rise on the same month last year.
Such a big jump was reflected in the brand's market share, which expanded from 0.2 per cent to 3.2 per cent overall. March 2014 was also the 21st consecutive month that the Italian manufacturer has posted a year-over-year sales gain.
The Fiat brand had the 500 to thank for much of its success. The model's 25.9 per cent leap in sales over and beyond the corresponding month in 2013, saw March 2014 become the best-ever sales month for the popular retro city car. The Fiat 500L also proved to be very popular with car buyers and its own sales increased a huge 170 per cent thanks to the addition of the rugged Trekking and practical MPW versions.
Last year, Fiat announced that it had sold its one millionth 500 since its launch in 2007. The car is sold in over 80 countries around the world.
One of the aspects that makes the 500 so popular is its uniqueness. Fiat explains that with so many customisation options available thanks to the thousands of possible combinations of colours, trims, engines, fuel systems and equipment, even in the million-plus units it has already produced it is difficult to find two identical cars.
The month of March was a good month for the whole automaking industry, with low interest rates and new car deals allowing many people to make big purchases.
Posted by Bob Fletcher