Sales

Italy sales flat in October as COVID dampens demand

November 03, 2020 03:11 PM

New-car sales in Italy declined 0.2 percent in October as gains from a government incentive program introduced in August slowed because of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

Suzuki, Honda, Skoda, Subaru and Fiat registered the strongest gains for the month.

There were 156,978 vehicles registered in the month, according to data from Italy’s transport ministry, on 22 selling days, one less than in October 2019.

Sales grew 9.5 percent in September, the first monthly increase of 2020.

Sales to private customers grew 11 percent, according to marker researcher Dataforce. The effect of the government's incentive program, however, declined during the month. Gian Franco Soranna, director general of dealer association Federauto, said "customer traffic in dealerships declined significantly in the last two weeks of the month."

Sales to short-term rental companies increased 7.7 percent to 6,463, while registrations by long-term rental companies declined by 7.8 percent; business sales declined by 9.9 percent.

Self-registrations by automakers were down 34 percent and dealer registrations fell 38 percent, Dataforce said.

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