Chrysler 2012 Annual Report Download - page 73

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In Europe (EU27+EFTA), the passenger car market registered an 8% decrease over the prior year to 12.5 million vehicles, the lowest level since 1995.
Year-over-year declines were registered in nearly all major markets, including Germany, which was down 3%. The Italian market contracted 20% to 1.4
million vehicles, representing the lowest level since 1979 and the worst annual percentage decrease since 1993. Double-digit declines were also recorded
in France (-14%) and Spain (-13%). The only major market to register growth was the UK, with demand increasing 5% over the prior year.
Group brands recorded a 6.3% combined share of the European market, slipping 0.6 percentage points over 2011. That decrease was largely attributable
to the unfavorable market mix, as Italy’s weighting in the European total fell 1.7 p.p. for the year to 11.2% (12.9% in 2011). Notable performances included
the Fiat Panda and 500, which remained the two best-selling models in the A segment with a combined 28.1% share. The Jeep brand also posted a 19%
increase in sales over the prior year, despite the negative market trend, driving positive performance for the Group in the brand’s reference segments.
In Italy, the Group increased share by 0.2 p.p. to 29.6%. That result was primarily driven by performance in the A segment, where share reached 60%, and
the Small MPV segment, where after just one quarter of sales the 500L was already positioned among the top 5. The Group also further strengthened its
leadership in the alternative fuel segment (CNG and LPG).
In other major markets, share was higher in Spain (+0.2 p.p.) and the UK (+0.1 p.p.), which in 2012 was the Group’s third largest European market with
64,000 vehicles sold. Share was down in France (-0.3 p.p.) and Germany (-0.2 p.p.).
The European light commercial vehicle market (EU27+EFTA) registered a 12% contraction over 2011 to close the year with just 1,582,000 units sold.
Performance was heavily affected by the 33% year-over-year contraction in demand in Italy.
Fiat Professional closed the year with an 11.7% share3 of the European LCV market, a decline of approximately 0.8 percentage points that was entirely
attributable to the unfavorable market mix. Excluding Italy, market share for other European markets was 0.2 percentage points higher at 9.2%. Group
share of the Italian market was 42.7%, compared with 44.4% for 2011, when sales benefited from significant fleet renewal activity. The Fiat Ducato ranked
among the best-selling commercial vehicles in its category for the 6th consecutive year and registered its highest ever segment share.
Products and Awards
During the first quarter, the Fiat brand presented the 2012 model year Punto, now also available with TwinAir Turbo and MultiJet II engines. Also introduced
were the AWD version of the Fiat Freemont and the new Fiat Strada.
At the Geneva Motor Show in March, Fiat premiered the new 500L, the latest addition to the 500 family of models which also includes the hatchback,
Abarth and Cabrio versions. The model was officially presented in July and introduced in markets across Europe during the third quarter with a selection
of advanced gasoline and diesel engines. In September, new engine and transmission options for the 500L were presented to the automotive press. In
confirmation of Fiat’s commitment to vehicle safety, the 500L was awarded the EuroNCAP 5 stars in November.
At the Paris Motor Show in September, Fiat presented the 4x4, Trekking and Natural Power versions of the new Panda. The Natural Power version is
equipped with an all-new natural gas/gasoline TwinAir Turbo that is both highly responsive and eco-friendly. All three versions of the Panda were presented to
the automotive press at a special media event in Balocco in October. Fiat also featured the Panda Natural Power at the sustainability-focused H2Roma and
Ecomondo expos in November. At the prestigious annual Top Gear Awards, the British magazine Top Gear named the Panda 4x4 “SUV of the Year 2012”.
During the second quarter, Fiat Professional began accepting orders for the new Doblò XL. With its long wheel-base and high roof, the Doblò XL has the
largest interior volume in its class.
For the fifth consecutive year, JATO (the global leader in automotive intelligence) recognized the Fiat brand for having the lowest CO2 emissions among the
best selling cars in Europe in 2011, with an average of 118.2 g/km. Fiat was also first in the Group ranking, with average emissions down 2.6 g/km over
the prior year to 123.3 g/km.
(3) Due to unavailability of official data for the LCV market since January 2011, figures reported beyond that date are an extrapolation and, therefore, marginal discrepancies with actual
data may exist.
Commercial
Performance
by Segment
Report on
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