FCA European sales grew in the month of April to better the Industry Average.

FCA performed better than the European industry average once again in April. Industry sales were down 6.8% year-over-year, reflecting the number of public holidays falling during the month, while FCA posted a decrease of just 0.5% year-over-year. 

Group market share was up 50 basis points to 7.3%, making FCA fourth overall in the European sales rankings. The Alfa Romeo brand posted a particularly strong month with April sales up 52.2%, driven by the Giulia and Stelvio (already segment leader in Italy). 

The Fiat Panda and Fiat 500 continued to dominate the A segment with a combined 29.4% share. 

The Fiat 500L led its segment – with a 28.5% share – and the Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade also ranked among the best-selling models in their respective segments. With another strong monthly performance, the Fiat Tipo also continued to climb the rankings in its segment.

In April, passenger car sales in Europe (EU28+EFTA) totaled just over 1,230,000 units, representing a 6.8% year-over-year decline.

FCA performed better than the European industry average for another consecutive month and ranked fourth overall with a total of 89,300 vehicles sold (substantially in line with the prior year). This was despite fewer selling days with several public holidays falling during the month. Group market share was up 50 basis points at 7.3%.

For the four months year-to-date, FCA sales totaled 392,400 vehicles, an increase of 10.8% compared with a European average of 4.5%. Group market share for the period was up 50 basis points year-over-year at 7.2%.

In April, FCA ran counter to the trend in Germany (+26.8% versus an industry average of -8.0%) and France (+5.0% versus an industry average of -6.0%), and outperformed in Spain (+6.1% versus an industry average of +1.2%).

Fiat posted European sales of 67,000 vehicles for the month, with market share 20 basis points higher at 5.4%.

Year-to-date, brand sales were up 10.4% to 296,800 vehicles. Market share for the period was 30 basis points higher at 5.4%.

Sales were up 3.9% in France, 8.0% in Spain and 24.5% in Germany.

The Panda and 500 continued as the two best-selling vehicles in the A segment with a combined share of nearly 30.0%. Year-to-date, sales of the Panda were up 1.0% to 74,600 units, while sales of the 500 were up 2.6% to nearly 70,200 units.

The Fiat Tipo posted another strong month, ranking as C-segment leader in Italy and among the best-sellers in Europe. Also performing well were the 500X (among the top 5 in its segment) and the 500L (continuing as leader in its segment with a 28.5% share).

Lancia/Chrysler posted April sales of more than 5,900 vehicles with share unchanged at 0.5%. For the year-to-date, brand sales were up 1.8% to nearly 27,500 units with share at 0.5%.

The ever-popular Ypsilon remained first in its segment in Italy with year-to-date sales up 2.0%.

Alfa Romeo posted an exceptional monthly performance with sales up 52.2% year-over-year to nearly 7,400 vehicles. Market share was 20 basis points higher at 0.6%.

Year-to-date, sales were up 38.7% to nearly 28,900 vehicles, with market share increasing to 0.5% (+10 basis points).

Sales were up 46.6% in Italy (+35.7% for the year-to-date), 162.7% in Germany (+94.5% year-to-date) and 55.4% in France (+22.4% year-to-date).

Driving this result were the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio. The Giulia is already among the D-segment leaders in Italy, with a 12.4% share, and climbing the rankings in other markets. The Stelvio is segment leader in Italy (11.8% share) with solid growth in markets across Europe.

Jeep posted April sales of more than 8,200 vehicles, and share was stable at 0.7%.

Year-to-date, brand sales totaled 35,400 vehicles (in line with 2016) and share was 0.6%.

April sales were particularly strong in Germany (+18.1%) and Spain (+10.1%).

The Renegade continued as one of the leaders in its segment with a 6.2% share in April. For the year-to-date, sales were up 7.8%.

For Maserati, the Group’s luxury brand, European sales totaled 754 vehicles in April and 3,840 for the year-to-date.

FLEET WORLD - FCA takes the Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer title for 2017.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has been named Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer in the prestigious Fleet World Awards.

The award recognises the strides made by the company’s fleet and business department, which represents Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo and Jeep®.

Judges were impressed not only by the strength and breadth of the vehicle line-up but also by the changes made in the last year to improve the fleet offering.

Steve Moody, Publisher at Fleet World, said:  “With the ability to cross-sell between its different brands, FCA Group has a unique and compelling offer for fleets.

“Newcomers such as the Fiat Tipo, Alfa Romeo’s Giulia and Stelvio, and commercial vehicles including the Talento van and Fullback pickup mean it’s becoming a complementary line-up suitable for the most diverse fleet needs.

“It’s also well supported, with a central fleet and business organisation and a growing network of specialist dealers.”

Receiving the award at a ceremony at the RAC Club in Pall Mall, Francis Bleasdale, Fleet and Remarketing Director at FCA, said: “We’re honoured to have won this category in these prestigious fleet awards and delighted that our work to improve the bespoke service we offer to business customers has been recognised.

“We are continuing to fine-tune our already competitive TCO position, ensuring all customers, no matter their size or requirements, benefit from a cost-effective fleet partnership.

“We have expanded the network and the sales team, improved our online tools on our dedicated business web pages, as well as introducing a dedicated TCO specialist, the result being that customers are already reaping the financial benefits of lower running costs.

“In addition to building on our renowned low running costs and excellent service, we are continuing to expand the Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Jeep® model ranges including specially-developed, business-focused editions that will thrill both head and heart.  These include the UK launch of the compact luxury crossovers Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the all-new Jeep Compass plus the exciting Fiat Professional range that showcase our commitment to delivering distinctive vehicles to our business customers.”

UK SALES SEPT - Abarth sales in the UK means it sells more cars here than in any other country in the world.

The new Abarth 124 spider has helped Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ high performance marque to power ahead in terms of UK sales, as today's new car registrations figures reveal.

The scorpion brand has posted its best month ever in the UK. In super September, Abarth sold 805 cars - up 14.02 per cent on the 706 sold in the same period last year.

Year-to-date, the brand's 3125 units was 54.02 per cent up on YTD 2015 (2029), as an increasing number of people become owners of cars from Abarth's stunning 595 and 695 ranges – including the incredible 190hp biposto Record – and the fabulous new 124 spider two-seater which, for 2016 only, will feature a unique numbered badge.

The result means the UK is now the number one country for Abarth sales, year to date ahead, even, of Italy.

Market share of 0.17 per cent for September was up from 0.15 per cent for the same period in 2016, according to figures supplied by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

"This year has been an excellent one for Abarth, with September being the pinnacle," says Gerry Southerington, Abarth brand manager. "The new 124 spider has clearly helped us to carry the momentum on, and we look forward to continued success as we close 2016.”

Among the delighted new owners helping to make September a success for Abarth is Bertie Bryant, of Ascot, Berkshire, who was the first person in the UK to take delivery of a 124 spider.

“I’m absolutely delighted with my new car,” says Bertie, founder of the Abarth Owners Club. “I had been looking forward to the launch of the 124 spider for some time, and now I have one of my own, it’s everything I was hoping for.”

PARIS - Ahead of the biggest European Motor Show, Jeep launches the new Compact SUV Compass Model.

In celebration of the start of production at FCA’s Jeep Assembly Plant in Goiana, Pernambuco, the Jeep brand introduced the all-new Jeep Compass today in Brazil.

A truly global all-new compact SUV, the Jeep Compass will be produced with 17 fuel-efficient powertrain options for consumers in more than 100 countries around the world.

The all-new Jeep Compass expands the brand’s global reach with an unmatched combination of attributes that includes legendary and best-in-class 4x4 off-road capability, advanced fuel-efficient powertrains, premium and authentic Jeep design, superior on-road driving dynamics, open-air freedom, and a host of safety and advanced technology offerings.

The most capable compact SUV ever, the all-new Jeep Compass will be available in North America in the first quarter of 2017 and in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, starting the second half of 2017.

Additional images and information will be available at the vehicle’s North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

Fiat and Riva, the luxury Yacht maker have collaborated to bring a touch of elegance and luxury to the little 500.

• FIAT 500 Riva: A collaboration between FIAT and luxury yacht manufacturer Riva
• Available as a hatchback or convertible, the FIAT 500 Riva has been given a unique appearance with premium materials by Riva
• FIAT 500 Riva’s real mahogany and maple inserts in line with premium fittings of luxury Riva yachts
• The first 500 cars will have a numbered limited edition badge which can be personalised by the customer

The 1957 FIAT 500 was not only the cornerstone of a mobilised Italy, allowing millions of people to experience the personal freedom of car ownership, it also symbolised the rebirth of the nation, becoming inextricably linked to the Dolce Vita years during which the country rediscovered its sense of style, vitality and fun. 

During the same time, another Italian icon also rose to prominence - Aquarama, the Riva speedboat. Elegant and exquisitely executed, the Aquarama was an authentic status symbol which helped Riva on its way to becoming one of the world’s most respected premium boat builders.

Almost 60 years later, the two symbols of Italian style and elegance finally converge in the form of the FIAT 500 Riva. Aimed at motorists seeking the same exclusivity of Aquariva Super yacht – the current Riva icon – but in an accessible, everyday package, the FIAT 500 Riva is finished in "Sera Blue", an exclusive colour for this limited edition model and one of the most popular for the Aquariva Super, successor to the legendary Aquarama.

The convertible version also gets a new blue soft top, created exclusively for this version, while the hatchback gets a panoramic glass roof as standard, but what really sets the FIAT 500 Riva apart is the detailing: Externally, in addition to the exclusive colour, the mirror caps have a chrome finish, as do the handles and the bonnet trim. 

A double aquamarine line runs along the belt line, enhancing the soft profile of the 500 and recalling the beautiful line of a yacht, while brand new 16-inch, 20-spoke alloy wheels, with a special blue finish, have been created especially for the FIAT 500 Riva. Finally, the logo of the nautical legend is placed on the boot lid, the wheel arch and the wooden insert of the side moulding.

Inside, the dashboard is finished in hand-painted mahogany with maple inlay work, offering the occupants the luxurious warmth of life on-board, as emphasised by the prominent Riva logo. 

An innovative engineering process was implemented to make the dashboard, merging state of the art materials technologies with natural wood and classic craftsmanship: The wood is applied onto an ultralight carbon shell to ensure stability, flexibility and perfect strength over the lifetime of the vehicle. The maple inlays are inserted by hand, making each creation truly unique.

The door sills and gear knob are also carved from a solid piece of mahogany, while the seats are trimmed in an exclusive ivory leather created by Poltrona Frau, in colours and materials reminiscent of the exclusive ambience of Aquariva Super. Even the floor mats are especially created with ivory hems and contrasting "Sera Blue" stitching, as is the boot mat that also features a wood insert with Riva lettering.

In terms of safety equipment, the FIAT 500 Riva is equipped with seven airbags, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) Hill Holder and HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance) that helps with emergency braking.

Luxury equipment includes automatic climate control, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, LED DRLs and a seven-inch TFT instrument cluster with aquamarine background and Riva logo. In addition, the dashboard incorporates as standard FIAT’s latest seven-inch HD Uconnect™ LIVE infotainment system, featuring a high-definition display and a wide range of functions including DAB digital radio, Uconnect™ LIVE services, Bluetooth voice calls, music streaming and voice recognition. The system can be upgraded with 3D satellite navigation as an option.

The new FIAT 500 Riva will be available in the UK from the end of August with the 1.2 69hp, TwinAir 85hp and TwinAir 105hp engine options. The FIAT 500 range starts at £11,050 OTR while the UK pricing for FIAT 500 Riva range will be announced closer to its launch date later in the summer.

25th anniversary limited-editionls feature exclusive content to commemorate the final year of Viper production.

• New 25th anniversary limited-edition models feature exclusive content to commemorate the final year of Viper production
  • 1:28 Edition ACR (American Club Racer) – Celebrating the current Laguna Seca single-lap record of 1:28.65
  • GTS-R Commemorative Edition ACR  – One of the most iconic Viper liveries of all-time
  • VooDoo II Edition ACR – Rebirth of the VooDoo ACR
  • Snakeskin Edition GTC – Inspired by the original Snakeskin, now with unique snakeskin stripe
  • Dodge Dealer Edition – Viper ACR special edition available through Tomball and Roanoke Dodge dealers
• Each limited-edition Viper model features a serialized instrument panel badge with the model name that can be customized with the customer’s name
• Customers can begin ordering special edition Vipers on June 24, 2016
• The 2017 Viper is available in more than 50 million unique build configurations, including the ACR package, through the “1 of 1” customization program for a truly one-of-a-kind snake American hand-built supercar

The Dodge brand is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Dodge Viper with five limited-edition models that commemorate the final year of Viper production and highlight several of the most iconic special edition Vipers of the past.

“The Dodge Viper has had a great run, and 25 years after it was first introduced, it leaves the supercar world reaching for the records it continues to set,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars, Dodge, SRT, Chrysler, and Fiat – FCA, North America. 

“With more track records than any production car in the world, the Dodge Viper ACR will live on as the fastest street-legal Viper track car ever, the car that has set the benchmark for all that follows in its tracks.”

One of the most unique and exotic high-performance machines on the road today, Dodge is honoring the Viper’s rich, colorful and exceptional performance heritage on and off the track by paying tribute to some of the most iconic Vipers in its history. Beginning on June 24 and new for 2017 model year, customers can order their special snake in the following exclusive special edition configurations:

Viper 1:28 Edition ACR

• Pays tribute to the current production car single lap record of 1:28.65 set by champion driver Randy Pobst in a 2016 Dodge Viper ACR at historic Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, Calif., in October 2015
• Features black exterior and painted rear wing with red ACR stripes, Extreme Aero Package, Carbon Ceramic brakes, 1:28 Edition exterior sill decal, ACR interior with red accent stitching, serialized instrument panel 1:28 Edition badge, along with a custom car cover that matches the exterior paint scheme and showcases the customer name above the driver’s side door
• As many as 28 units of this new special edition configuration will be built for the 2017 model year
• Looking back in Viper history: Using the same track record theme, Dodge previously produced 33 units of the 2010 Viper ACR 1:33 Edition to tout its previous track record of 1:33.915 set by SRT dynamics engineer Chris Winkler at Laguna Seca Raceway in November 2009

Viper GTS-R Commemorative Edition ACR

• Designed to pay tribute to one of the most distinguishable and iconic Viper paint schemes of all time – the white and blue combination of the 1998 Viper GTS-R GT2 Championship Edition
• Features Pearl White exterior with Blue Pearl GTS stripes, Extreme Aero Package, Carbon Ceramic brakes, Exterior Carbon Package, unique red Stryker badge decal, GTS-R exterior sill decals, USA flag B-pillar decals, ACR interior with red accent stitching, Header Red seat belts, serialized instrument panel GTS-R badge and a custom car cover that matches the exterior paint scheme and showcases the customer name above the driver’s side door
• As many as 100 units of this new special edition configuration will be built for 2017
• Looking back in Viper history: 100 units of the 1998 Viper GTS-R GTS Championship Edition were produced to commemorate the Viper winning the 1997 FIA GT2 championship

Viper VoooDoo II Edition ACR

• Modeled after the original 2010 Viper VooDoo edition
• Features black exterior and graphite metallic ACR driver’s stripe with red tracer outline, Extreme Aero Package, Carbon Ceramic brakes, VoooDoo II exterior sill decals, ACR interior with silver accent stitching, serialized instrument panel VoooDoo II badge and custom car cover that matches the exterior paint scheme and showcases the customer name above the driver’s side door
• As many as 31 units of this new special edition configuration will be produced for 2017
• Looking back in Viper history: 31 units of the original VooDoo Viper ACR were built in 2010

Viper Snakeskin Edition GTC

• Color was inspired by the original 2010 Snakeskin ACR
• Features new Snakeskin Green exterior with a custom snakeskin patterned SRT stripe, Advanced Aerodynamics Package, GT black interior, serialized instrument panel Snakeskin badge and a custom car cover that matches the exterior paint scheme and showcases the customer name above the driver’s side door
• As many as 25 units of this new special edition configuration will be produced for 2017
• Looking back in Viper history: 31 units of the original Snakeskin Viper ACR were built in 2010

Dodge Dealer Edition ACR

• Available exclusively through Dodge’s highest sales volume Viper dealers, Tomball Dodge of Tomball, Texas, and Roanoke Dodge of Roanoke, Ill.
• Features Viper White exterior with Competition Blue center stripe, Adrenaline Red driver stripe, Carbon Ceramic brakes, Extreme Aero Package, ACR interior with red accent stitching and custom car cover that matches the exterior paint scheme and showcases the customer name above the driver’s side door
• Serialized instrument panel ACR badge
• As many as 33 units of this new special edition configuration will be produced for 2017

Industry-first ‘1 of 1’ Viper customization program continues

Continuing for the 2017 model year is the exclusive Viper “1 of 1” customization program that enables buyers to create their one-of-a-kind “Snake” from the ground up. 

With 16,000 exterior color options, including matte exterior finishes, 24,000 custom stripe colors, 11 wheel options, 16 interior trims and seven aero packages, three brake packages and four suspension options, there are more than 50 million ways for buyers to customize their one-of-a-kind Dodge Viper. 

Each “1 of 1” model Viper features a personalized instrument panel badge with customer’s chosen name to commemorate their exclusive design. No two customers can order the same configuration, including color, in the same model year

ACR model returns as ultimate street-legal racer

The Dodge Viper ACR returns in 2017 as the indisputable “ultimate street-legal race car” with significant aerodynamic and suspension upgrades. Relaunched in 2016, the third edition (1999-2002, 2008-2010) of the Viper ACR has taken the performance car world by storm with more track records than any production car in the world — a total of 13 road course lap records as certified by the Sports Car Club of America.