Fiat Production In Italy: 2005-2009

The Grande Punto from 2005

Production numbers had dropped below 500,000 in 2005 before a temporary revival and another fall. A new Mk III Punto model had lifted volumes in 2006 but not to the same level of earlier models. They had made over 700,000 per year of the first generation, but not anymore. The unpopular Stilo gave way to the Bravo/Brava's return but again in much lower volumes than the previous B/B of 1995-2001 vintage.

The Croma returned but not as a large family car but a wagon-come-MPV and was never going to be a large volume vehicle. The Multipla and Idea were on the way out. Overall, not a positive situation for Fiat production in Italy.

	Model	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009
	Punto	290,583	449,449	412,997	264,048	335,246
	Bravo/Brava	-	-	115,328	86,051	63,785
	Croma	25,393	34,991	24,992	26,772	11,363
	Multipla	29,721	26,853	19,771	16,015	9,802
	Idea	42,643	33,031	23,206	13,227	9,488
	Stilo	69,655	46,798	12,507	281	-
	Barchetta	242	-	-	-	-
	Total	458,237	591,122	608,801	406,394	429,684

Data source: ANFIA.

Fiat Production In Italy: 2000-2004

For the year 2000, Fiat Italian production fell below one million with the Punto contributing about two thirds of the total. As the Punto waned, the Stilo took over from the Bravo/Brava but was not entirely successful in doing so. More cars were being made elsewhere and production barely made 500,000 by 2004. There were two new models:

Stilo: It came as a 3 or 5 door and wagon. It wasn't well received and it seems it was a loss making model.

Idea: Was this small MPV a good idea? It was well packaged and practical but production volumes look disappointing.

	Model	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
	Punto	604,312	521,886	439,170	406,789	320,761
	Stilo	-	73,990	179,424	168,420	106,059
	Idea	-	-	-	12,680	61,735
	Multipla	48,682	50,354	31,128	21,692	25,065
	Barchetta	4,294	3,404	879	918	933
	Panda	94,115	95,202	102,132	64,178	-
	Marea	75,048	37,104	12,937	-	-
	600 Elettra	41	68	33	-	-
	Bravo/Brava	151,013	68,285	-	-	-
	Coupe	2,299	-	-	-	-
	Total	979,804	850,293	765,703	674,677	514,553

Data source: ANFIA.

Fiat Production In Italy: 1994-1999

The Fiat Punto

I would have liked to go back further, but 1994 is where the road begins for Fiat production in Italy by model. Around this time, just over a million cars each year were made there of the Fiat brand. About half of that number were the Punto model, a mini hatchback (plus a convertible). It was introduced in 1993 to replace the very successful Uno, and proved to be a winner as well.

The small Bravo (3 door) and Brava (5 door) replaced the successful Tipo but not with the same popularity. Likewise, the slightly larger Marea took over from the Tempra. The large Croma model seemingly wasn't replaced by anything, but I assume the Marea covered for that.

Of the other models, the small MPV Mulitpla was very spacious but also unusual looking. No, really (if you haven't seen one). The Fiat Coupé was a small sports car with angular styling and quite attractive. It was released in 1993 and finished in 2000. The Barchetta small roadster was pleasant in appearance but not a big selling model. Finally the 600 Elettra was an electric version of the regular 600.

In summary, 1999 was the last year production in Italy - for the Fiat brand - exceeded one million. That will become evident in the next article of the series.

Model	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Punto	559,260	666,705	563,601	656,283	568,590	552,260
Bravo/Brava	-	93,464	293,746	254,293	192,848	181,437
Panda	72,925	76,327	61,783	130,108	123,788	129,825
Marea	-	-	53,545	141,228	93,951	87,468
Multipla	-	-	-	-	7,956	47,708
Coupé	17,987	13,483	11,359	12,186	9,023	6,361
Barchetta	-	14,197	9,700	9,848	6,864	6,199
600 Elettra	-	-	-	-	81	138
Uno	144,068	71,864	43,920	13,632	-	-
Tempra	76,136	43,830	6,135	1,680	-	-
Croma	14,022	12,778	6,775	-	-	-
Tipo	178,812	108,684	2,304	-	-	-
Total	1,063,210	1,101,332	1,052,868	1,219,258	1,003,101	1,011,396

Data source: ANFIA.

The Marea saloon and wagon