Further proof of the Fiat 500's sustained success in the UK is
illustrated in new car registrations figures for October 2009, in
which the popular supermini breaks into the Top 10 best sellers
list for the first time since its launch in January 2008.
The Fiat 500 sold 2,989 units last month - well up on the 993 sold
in October last year - according to official figures, just supplied
by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That
makes it the 10th best-seller here last month.
And it's not just the Fiat 500 hitting the big time in terms of UK
sales. Fiat's 6,570 sales result for October 2009 was 117.5 per
cent up on the 3,020 figure for the same period last year, in a
market up by 31 per cent - a result which follows a particularly
strong September performance, in which Fiat sales were up 19.3 per
cent in a market that was up by just 11.4 per cent.
Fiat's year-to-date market share (to October) has risen from 2.58
per cent to 2.90 per cent.
"This is an incredible result for the Fiat 500 which we are, of
course, delighted with," says Andrew Humberstone, managing
director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK Ltd. "Interest in this car has
been sky high ever since we launched it here less than two years
ago.
"The popularity of this superb vehicle speaks for itself and, with
the launch this summer of the fantastic 500C, and the option of
Start & Stop bringing further environmental benefits to the
range, we're sure we will see the Fiat 500 making even greater
inroads into the UK small car market."
Available with a choice of three frugal, ultra-low emissions, Euro
5-ready engines: 69 bhp 1.2-litre and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol, or
75 bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel, the new Fiat 500 can be
ordered in three different trim levels - Pop, Sport and
Lounge.
With a starting price of just £8,700 on-the-road, the Fiat 500
represents outstanding value for money and positions the car below
benchmark rivals. Top-of-the-range Lounge versions start at £10,100
- a price that includes alloy wheels and air conditioning as
standard.