Upcoming elections. Increases in utilities and highways. Biodegradable bags for a fee. 2018 opened with a series of news that shocked most, leaving impassive the now defenseless citizens who, cyclically (September and January have always been the moments of greatest crisis for taxpayers …) are accustomed to alarmism more or less truthful.
This climate of defeatism has made a fact that deserved more consideration go almost unnoticed: in 2017 the car market made a significant leap forward. A + 7.9% of vehicles sold compared to 2016 (source: Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport) equal to 1,970,497 cars that left the dealerships despite a decline in December – the result of the announced increases ??? – 3.17%.
What numbers!
We think that since 2008, the year indicated as the one in which the Italian economic crisis – which in fact had repercussions in Europe and also in the whole world – began, these numbers were just a dream. Who should be credited with the merits of such a significant positive sign? In the meantime, let’s start from a consideration, devoid of brands and models: if the houses continue to build aesthetically and technically convincing cars, this positive sign is conceivable that it will last over time.
That said, the FCA group played an important role. The golden year of sales of the Jeep driven by Renegade and the new Compass as well as the surge of Alfa Romeo, a brand that has been able to make the most of the Giulia and the Stelvio. Behind, albeit slightly, Fiat for a total of + 5.5% of the house driven by Marchionne. A positive sign, however, that for the third year marks the presence consecutively, even in the exploit of 2017.
Excellent results also for medium and long-term rental which place Italy in fourth place in Europe in this market, behind Germany, the United Kingdom and France. The goal for 2018 is to exceed two million vehicles sold.
It goes without saying that luxury brands have driven the market.
In your opinion, therefore, the crisis is over and the car is the standard-bearer?
Alessandro Zelioli
(Photo Credit Paul Cisneros)
