FIAT AUTO RESULTS UNDERLINE POSITIVE TRENDS

Fiat Auto's first quarter sales performance this year - both in Italy and the UK - has indicated a significant upward trend for the Group.

In Italy, Fiat Auto increased its market share to 29.4%, as against 28.2% in the same period last year, and in the UK its quarterly sales were up 7% year-on-year (21,556 cars). UK sales in March, (14,146 cars), were up almost 15% compared with March 2003.

Fiat Auto's commercial vehicle business is also performing particularly well in the UK, with a current market share of 3.75%, some 18% up on the same period last year.

Sales of Fiat commercial vehicles in March were up 26%, achieving a market share of over 4%. The successful launch of the new Scudo model range has assisted in achieving this growth, with sales for the model up 11%. In addition, sales of the Fiat Ducato have increased by no less than 30%, underlining the quality and versatility of this product range.

"We are of course pleased to see positive trends emerging," says Massimo Toso, managing director, Fiat Auto UK. "And we have other reasons to be encouraged. Fiat has jumped up the satisfaction chart in the latest RMI dealer attitude survey - one of the largest improvements in the market. And in the J.D. Power Survey, Fiat is one of the five brands not only with the best improvement in build quality and reliability, but also customer service satisfaction.

"In addition, we have opened eight new dealerships already this year, won two important UK media awards for our new Panda - Best City Car from What Car? and Budget Car from BBC Top Gear - and three further awards regarding our marketing activities.

"We recognise that we have a long way to go, and we're working very hard with our dealers to sustain and expand our achievements, but it's important to see that we are moving in the right direction."

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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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