Fiat 500 breaks into UK top 10 sales figures for first time

Further proof of the Fiat 500’s sustained success in the UK is illustrated in today’s new car registrations figures for October, 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 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.

The Fiat 500 was recently voted Best Supermini by the readers of What Car? magazine.

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• [VIDEO] Vin Diesel can’t drive!
• [VIDEO] Libyan rebels capture Muammar Gaddafi’s unique car
• [VIDEO] Fiat 500 gets three-star NHTSA safety rating
• [VIDEO] Abarth 500 going to the United States
• [VIDEO] 2012 Fiat 500 earns the IIHS Top Safety Pick
• Volkswagen Up! got a new GT version
• Volkswagen Up Citycar Revealed