Image: Fiat
Image: Fiat
NewsBy: Ryan De Villiers
Stellantis is a hodgepodge of venerated automakers, but in the Stellantis sales leaderboard whose positions are determined by performance, none of them seems to trump Fiat. With the potential for the Italian automaker to recommence manufacturing in South Africa, we decided to look at some top-selling models we don’t receive in locally… yet.
Image: Fiat
In 2022, Fiat recorded selling over 1,2 million units across the globe. This success saw the firm gain a pole position in the markets in regions like Brazil, Italy and Turkey. While this is an achievement worthy of celebrating, the models that drove Fiat to success are, for the most part, models that are not available in South Africa such as the Fiat Strada, Cronos, Egea and Pulse.
Of the aforementioned models that help bolster international sales, the Strada and Pulse are manufactured by Fiat Automóveis in Brazil, while the South American country’s neighbour, Argentina handles the Cronos in Cordoba.Outside of the faraway continent from its headquarters, the Fiat Egea is manufactured in Bursa, Turkey. All of these facilities play a crucial part in helping secure market share in the regions, something Stellantis will likely want to do with the brand after signing a momentous accord to recommence manufacture in South Africa.
“FIAT has once again confirmed its global success, contributing substantially to the Group’s results. In terms of volumes, FIAT is the leading brand in Stellantis with more than 1,2 million units registered in 2022, including FIAT, Abarth and Fiat Professional vehicles. We are the absolute market leader in Brazil, Italy and Turkey, and we are accelerating towards a sustainable future with the electric New 500 that registered nearly 120 thousand units in 2022 since its launch.” — Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and CMO Global of Stellantis
Image: Fiat
Stellantis sales and Fiat’s successes in the previous year are tied to the firm’s Fiat 500 electric extraordinary performance. In 2022, the electrified Fiat 500 represented 66 000 units out of the 120 000 units sold since the vehicle’s inception. The Fiat 500 electric was earmarked as the best-selling car in the Italian market, second in Brazil and third in Germany. Unfortunately, the electrified city-runner is not available in the South African market.
Additionally, Fiat has highlighted the performance of two of its offerings namely, the Fiat Panda (which we don’t get) and the Fiat 500, which rank second and first in their segment. In Europe, Fiat secured a market share percentage of 43,8%!
“Thanks to the synergies embedded in the Stellantis Group, in 2023 FIAT will continue offering socially relevant solutions, presenting four new products.” — Olivier Francois, FIAT CEO and CMO Global of Stellantis
Keyword: Fiat highighted as Stellantis sales front runner