Wednesday 8th October 2008

Best Fiat Sales For Four Years

500 helps Fiat increase market share by 3% in the UK

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Cars like 500 have boosted sales

Fiat enjoyed record sales in the UK last month, shifting nearly 10,000 cars. The carmaker has upped its market share by 3% despite the fact that that national car sales in September fell nearly 21.2% on last year. This was the fifth month in a row that UK sales had fallen.

Fiat is attributing much of its success to the new(ish) 500 supermini, as over 3,600 people snapped one up last month alone in the UK. The car was launched here earlier this year and has proved hugely popular, with hot Abarth versions to come.

Andrew Humberstone, MD of Fiat UK said: 'This fantastic result is testament not only to our eco-friendly cars and the overall desirability of the Fiat range, but to the number of key dealer partners who exceeded their sales targets by more than 150%.'

Even though the international financial crisis shows little sign of subsiding, hence the drop in national car sales across the board, Mr Humberstone remains optimistic. 'We expect the fourth quarter to be challenging but, that said, we believe we are positioned to face these challenges. There has been a shift in consumer buying behaviour, and people are choosing to downsize into the small car sector – an area which is clearly one of our primary strengths,' he added.

[patmahe]

Well done Fiat

A tremendous achievement given the current climate and proof that if a car company has the desire to turn arond its image and reputation then it is possible to do so. Today I would consider buying a Fiat, 5 years ago, not a chance.

[Miklad]

That Arbarth looks yummmmmeeeeeeee.

[matmoxon]

patmahe said:

Well done Fiat

A tremendous achievement given the current climate and proof that if a car company has the desire to turn arond its image and reputation then it is possible to do so. Today I would consider buying a Fiat, 5 years ago, not a chance.

I was going to post a similar thing. I know several people with new Fiat's and they can do nothing but sing their praise when asked about what they are like.

Matt

[PhilLL]

Well done Fiat. They really have turned themselves around in the last few years.

[PPPPPP]

patmahe said:

Well done Fiat

A tremendous achievement given the current climate and proof that if a car company has the desire to turn arond its image and reputation then it is possible to do so. Today I would consider buying a Fiat, 5 years ago, not a chance.

Absolutely - Since the Fiat 128 in the mid 70's, this is the 1st Fiat I would consider buying.

[Twincam16]

This is good news, as ordinary people are getting acquainted with proper 'drivers cars' as opposed to A to B boxes.

To be honest, Fiats have been fairly dependable since the Tipo (massively underrated car and a little stormer in 16v guise), but IMO Fiat's real turnaround car was the Grande Punto. Here was a car that said 'you, yes you, stop driving a Corsa and have something that looks like a Maserati'. The last firm to employ that 'something special-looking in a market full of dross' technique was Rover with the chrome grilled 'baby Jaguar' 200/400 series, and they outsold both the Escort and the Astra with those cars.

And Abarth - another good idea, sell it as a marque in itself rather than just a badge. I love the Abarth Punto, it looks properly exotic.

Good news all round.

[photo_ed]

Until recently I'd never have considered owning anything other than a classic Fiat - think: 124 Spider, Dino, (original)500 Abarth, 8V.

Now we have 2 and have to say I'm very impressed indeed, especially the build quality, something I never thought I'd utter!

Less interior trim rattles than my £33k Z4C speaks volumes for a start

[mrk4thom]

patmahe said:

Well done Fiat

A tremendous achievement given the current climate and proof that if a car company has the desire to turn arond its image and reputation then it is possible to do so. Today I would consider buying a Fiat, 5 years ago, not a chance.

I'd second that. Other manufactures should take note of what happens when you produce a great looking car rather than a bland euro box.

[Essex Exile]

photo_ed said:

Until recently I'd never have considered owning anything other than a classic Fiat - think: 124 Spider, Dino, (original)500 Abarth, 8V.

Now we have 2 and have to say I'm very impressed indeed, especially the build quality, something I never thought I'd utter!

Less interior trim rattles than my £33k Z4C speaks volumes for a start

You've got to add the Strada 130 TC to that list, rattly but fantastic!

[lionrampant]

I recall my first ride in a friend's new Grande Punto last year. It was genuinely a case of "hang on a minute... this is a Fiat?". They've done bloody well.

[Thirstyboy]

Brilliant - I have got a 100HP panda which now has 6000 faultless miles - easily the most fun car I have had for ages and just great build quality. I shall certainly be going back for more. FIAT is a brand with such residual good will in the UK. Good oh!

[timewatch]

mrk4thom said:

patmahe said:

Well done Fiat

A tremendous achievement given the current climate and proof that if a car company has the desire to turn arond its image and reputation then it is possible to do so. Today I would consider buying a Fiat, 5 years ago, not a chance.

I'd second that. Other manufactures should take note of what happens when you produce a great looking car rather than a bland euro box.

That's true !

I'm fed up of seeing nothing but computer generated clones on the road, Postman Pat mobiles the lot o' them.

TW>>>

[sleepersix]

[quote=Twincam16]The last firm to employ that 'something special-looking in a market full of dross' technique was Rover with the chrome grilled 'baby Jaguar' 200/400 series
[quote]

Hmmm, Honda civics with a chrome nose. Not exactly the last word in desirability, even compared to an Astra.....

Edited by sleepersix on Wednesday 8th October 13:21

[lionrampant]

sleepersix said:

Twincam16 said:

The last firm to employ that 'something special-looking in a market full of dross' technique was Rover with the chrome grilled 'baby Jaguar' 200/400 series

Hmmm, Honda civics with a chrome nose. Not exactly the last word in desirability, even compared to an Astra.....

Edited by sleepersix on Wednesday 8th October 13:21

They did more than chrome the nose. And if you compare them to their rivals at the time they were surprisingly "British".

Edit - nested quotes were broken

Edited by lionrampant on Wednesday 8th October 14:28

[Essex Exile]

lionrampant said:

sleepersix said:

Twincam16 said:

The last firm to employ that 'something special-looking in a market full of dross' technique was Rover with the chrome grilled 'baby Jaguar' 200/400 series
[quote]

Hmmm, Honda civics with a chrome nose. Not exactly the last word in desirability, even compared to an Astra.....

Edited by sleepersix on Wednesday 8th October 13:21

They did more than chrome the nose. And if you compare them to their rivals at the time they were surprisingly "British".

Could be worse

Edited by Essex Exile on Wednesday 8th October 14:02

[stuart-b]

Actually starting to like Fiats new creations... a lot more than other car makers...

Never thought I'd say that!

[tinman0]

Well done Fiat!

nice to see Fiat doing well as an owner of one.

[Twincam16]

lionrampant said:

sleepersix said:

Twincam16 said:

The last firm to employ that 'something special-looking in a market full of dross' technique was Rover with the chrome grilled 'baby Jaguar' 200/400 series

Hmmm, Honda civics with a chrome nose. Not exactly the last word in desirability, even compared to an Astra.....

Edited by sleepersix on Wednesday 8th October 13:21

They did more than chrome the nose. And if you compare them to their rivals at the time they were surprisingly "British".

Edit - nested quotes were broken

Edited by lionrampant on Wednesday 8th October 14:28

Chrome grille, halfway-decent leather and almost-convincing wood on the dashboard, revised suspension, restyled boot and hatch compared with the Concerto (which was rare and anonymous over here anyway), the K-series engine, a cabriolet with at least pretentions to the Mercedes market, and a coupe with near-as-dammit 200bhp, that did 150mph.

Escort Cosworth (which was eye-wateringly expensive and only looked like an Escort) aside, Rover's competitors at the time were almost offending the public with an ethos of 'bog-standard cars for bog-standard people'. For a country emerging from a vicious recession, the Rover was perfect - everyman luxury for the price of boredom.

OK so it was nothing special to drive and the luxury was skin-deep, but they were well-made and to someone who'd probably only test-driven a Ford Orion and a Vauxhall Belmont, very special indeed.

I probably wouldn't buy one, mind, but they're good cars. Survived well too.

[Alfahorn]

I'm delighted for them. I saw a 500 Abarth in a Fiat showroom in tuscany last week and thought it was stunning, it was even parked next to an F430 in the showroom and looked really at home.

[Essex Exile]

I saw a red 500 outside the casino in Monaco last year (before they came out here)
It didn't look out of place among the shedloads of Bentleys and primary colour Lamborghinis