Fiat, an Italian brand, has had a mixed start to 2025. While it has experienced strong growth in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, its performance in Europe has been underwhelming. In Europe, sales have declined, with the exception of the UK, where there was a slight increase. The brand is pinning its hopes on the new Fiat Grande Panda, which is expected to be launched in Europe in March 2025.
In Latin America, Brazil saw a 10% increase in sales, with 34,356 registrations in January and 37,362 in February. Argentina also showed strong demand, with a 78% year-on-year increase in January, although there was a slight dip in February. The brand’s performance in Italy, Germany, and France, however, has been less encouraging, with sales declining by 8%, 46%, and 55%, respectively.
The Grande Panda is seen as a potential game-changer for Fiat in Europe, with its compact, practical, and economical features expected to appeal to a wide audience. While its initial weeks on the market have been positive, it remains to be seen if the model can reverse the brand’s declining sales in Europe. The pandemic has had a significant impact on the brand’s performance, with sales down 9% compared to the previous year and 2% compared to two years ago.
Looking ahead, the brand is hopeful that the Grande Panda will help turn things around, with the first deliveries set to begin in April-May 2025 and the real impact expected in the second half of the year. In Turkey, Fiat’s performance has been particularly weak, with sales down 61% compared to last year and 55% compared to two years ago. The launch of the Grande Panda in Turkey is scheduled for summer 2025, but its impact on sales is unlikely to be significant until 2026.
Overall, Fiat’s start to 2025 has been mixed, with a strong performance in Latin America but struggles in Europe. The new Grande Panda is expected to play a key role in turning things around, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to put the brand back on a growth track in Europe.