Best Fiat Sales For Four Years
500 helps Fiat increase market share by 3% in the UK
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.
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.
Matt
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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'm fed up of seeing nothing but computer generated clones on the road, Postman Pat mobiles the lot o' them.
TW>>>
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Hmmm, Honda civics with a chrome nose. Not exactly the last word in desirability, even compared to an Astra.....
Edit - nested quotes were broken
[quote]
Hmmm, Honda civics with a chrome nose. Not exactly the last word in desirability, even compared to an Astra.....
Edit - nested quotes were broken
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.
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