Chrysler 2013 Annual Report Download - page 73

72 Report on Operations
In Europe (EU27+EFTA), the passenger car market was down 2% for the year to 12.3 million vehicles. By major market, demand was down
in Italy (-7%), France (-6%) and Germany (-4%). The positive trend continued in both the U.K. and Spain, where demand was up 11% and 3%,
respectively. For the rest of Europe, there was an overall contraction of around 4%.
Group brands accounted for a combined 6.0% share of the European market, representing a 0.3 p.p. decrease over 2012. There were year-
over-year gains in France (+0.2 p.p. to 3.5%), Spain (+0.4 p.p. to 3.7%) and U.K. (+0.1 p.p. to 3.2%). By contrast, share was down 0.9 p.p. in
Italy to 28.7% and 0.2 p.p. in Germany to 2.7%, in part reflecting management of channel mix.
The commercial strategy centered on the 500 family continues to yield positive results. The 500 was the best selling A-segment vehicle in
Europe, with a 13.9% share, and the 500L ranked as the number one Small multi purpose vehicle (MPV), with 73,500 units sold for the year
and a 17.9% segment share.
The European light commercial vehicle market (EU27+EFTA) registered a 1% year-over-year decrease, with significant contractions in Italy
(-15%), France (-5%) and Germany (-2%).
Fiat Professional’s European share(1) was down marginally to 11.6% as a result of a less favorable market mix. Share was up 1.3 p.p. in Italy to
44.0%, up 1.4 p.p. in the U.K. to 5.0% and up 0.4 p.p. in Spain to 8.9%. In France and Germany, share remained in line with prior year levels
at 9.0% and 11.7%, respectively.
Products and Awards
During the year, new product highlights included: the launch of the 105 hp 1.6L MultiJet II and 0.9L TwinAir Turbo engine versions of the 500L,
as well as the new Fiat 500L Living and Trekking and the “Natural Power” versions of the 500L and 500L Living. In the fourth quarter, the brand
also introduced the 105 hp 0.9L TwinAir option for the 500 and 500C and the 120 hp 1.4L T-Jet Turbo and 1.6L MultiJet II options for the 500L,
500L Trekking and 500L Living. At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Fiat presented the special 30th anniversary limited edition Panda
4x4 Antarctica. The Fiat brand received the “Best Green Engine of the Year 2013” award for the eco-performing natural gas TwinAir Turbo.
In October, Alfa Romeo presented refreshed versions of the MiTo and Giulietta, with new engine options, including the 105 hp 0.9L TwinAir
Turbo for the MiTo and the all-new 150 hp 2.0 JTDM 2 for the Giulietta, as well as latest generation UConnect infotainment systems and new
interiors.
The brand also began delivery of the “Launch Edition” of the Alfa Romeo 4C in the fourth quarter. The Alfa Romeo 4C was named winner of the
Sportscars/Imported category by readers of Auto Zeitung in Germany and was named “Car of the Year 2013” by FHM magazine in the U.K.
Jeep launched the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee in markets across Europe during Q2 followed, in the fourth quarter, by the 2014 Jeep Compass,
which has undergone a refresh.
During the year, the World Class Manufacturing program’s Gold level was awarded to Fiat plants in Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy, and Tychy, Poland,
as well as the Tofas¸ plant in Bursa, Turkey.
(1) Due to unavailability of market data for Italy since January 2011, the figures reported are an extrapolation and discrepancies with actual data could exist.
Commercial Performance
by Operating Segment