FIAT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES: A RECORD 2004

Fiat Commercial Vehicles enjoyed a highly successful year in 2004: over 307,000 vehicles were sold throughout the world, approximately 32,000 more than in 2003.

In Italy, with about 88,900 vehicles delivered and an overall market share of 40.2%, Fiat CV confirmed its undisputed leadership of all market segments in which it is present. Some 13,670 Punto Vans were sold (a record among car-based vehicles); Doblò Cargo recorded about 20,000 sales; Scudo totalled 8,200 units (up 7.7% on 2003), the Ducato over 35,000 (up 5.9%), and Strada Pick-ups over 3,100.

In Europe as a whole (including Italy) Fiat CV took an outright third place in the sales league, with over 213,500 units delivered and an overall annual market share of 10.8%. Fiat CV is currently the leading imported brand in Germany (28,800 registrations and a market share of 11.2%) and France (21,300 registrations and 5.1% of the market). It also performed well, in terms of market share, in Poland (26%), Hungary (11.2%), Switzerland (10.9%), Greece (10.6%), Belgium (9.4%), Austria (8.8%) and Spain (7.7%).

Outside Europe, Fiat CV sales increased from 68,500 units in 2003 to over 93,500 in 2004 (up 36.6%). There were good results in Turkey and Brazil in particular: in the former, the brand took 15% of the market, and sales increased from 20,000 in 2003 to over 37,000 last year. Doblò is overall leader in its segment. Some 44,000 vehicles were delivered in Brazil for a market share of 24.3%.

Last year, the most significant events for the brand included the introduction of the MultiJet engine on the Doblò Cargo in April, a move which revived customer interest in the model, and resulted in the achievement of a 45% segment sales increase in the second half of the year.

Another important introduction during the year was the launch of the 146 bhp Ducato 2.8 JTD, with a variable geometry turbine, which took place in May. This version now accounts for about 15% of the model mix, helping to consolidate Ducato's success in 2004. The Ducato continues to gain ground all over Europe, and is one of the leaders in its market segment with over 102,000 sales (up 4.6% on 2003). In 2004, the Ducato also confirmed its leadership of the recreational vehicle sector, accounting for some 70% of the market.

In the UK, Fiat CV sales rose by over 16% in 2004 compared with the previous year, achieving a UK record volume of 12,415 registrations, in a market that grew by around 9%. This strong performance resulted in an increase of Fiat Auto's share of the UK market from 3.6% in 2003 to 3.85% in 2004.

Ducato van was the key driver of this success, with an increase of 35% over 2003, in a sector that improved by just over 8%.

Last year was the second year of significant growth for Fiat CV in the UK, contributing to a cumulative increase of 46% in sales over the past two years.

ends...

For further information please contact:

PETER NEWTON Public Relations Director

or

Puneet Joshi Press Officer

Fiat Auto (UK) Limited

Tel: 01753 511431

Fax: 01753 516871

E-mail addresses: peter.newton@fiat.com/puneet.joshi@fiat.com

This press release is also available on www.newspress.co.uk

Further information can also be obtained on www.fiatautopress.com

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