Mar. 19 – “A new chapter in our history,” said FIAT chairman John Elkann, who had greeted at the end of January the birth of Chrysler Fiat Automobiles. The market, meanwhile, is sending encouraging signs for the new automotive group. In the month of February, Chrysler Fiat Automobiles has sold more than 59.000 cars in Europe, 5.8% more than last year. Panda and 500 were the best-selling small cars in Europe and together they achieved a market share of 29.9% in their category alongside the Fiat 500L, which performed the best in its category with a 20.5% share. Jeep has increased its sales in almost all major markets, while Alfa Romeo seems to have re-conquered its appeal in Germany, Spain and Switzerland, where scored double-digit sales increases compared to February 2013. Lancia in France increased its sales in February 2013 by 106.5%, doubling its share, now at 0.4%. This positive trend follows the group overseas, where the Chrysler Group sold in February, in the United States, 154 866 units, for an 11% increase compared to the 139 015 units sold in February 2013. Sales in February 2014 gave the best performance for the company since February 2007, marking also the 47th consecutive month of growth. Simultaneously, Fiat recorded an increase in sales of 5%, a third consecutive month of growth and the best February performance since the brand’s return to the U.S. in 2011. In Europe, in February and January, sales in the EU28+EFTA market continued to grow, with 895 000 registrations and the market growth of 7.6% compared to February 2013. In the first two months of 2014, registered vehicles amounted to 1.8 million, for a 6.3% increase compared to the same period of last year. Overall, the Fiat Chrysler brand has performed extremely well in Europe, with growth rates exceeding those of its competitors and the sector: in Italy it grew by +7.6%; in France it grew by +1.9% when the sector recorded losses for -1.4%; in the UK it grew by 14.45 compared to 3.1% growth rate of the market; and in Spain, where the market grew by 17.8%, Chrysler Fiat Automobiles increased its sales by 50.5%.
