Italy, historically and logically the best market for Alfa Romeo, sees a surprising drop in sales for the Italian brand in 2024. In fact, the last three months - March, April and May - show a downward trend, particularly marked for May 2024 with a fall of 25.3 % compared with the same month last year.
In an intriguing turn of events, Alfa Romeo has chosen this moment to publish a press release announcing the strong performance of two of its flagship models in May: the Stelvio and the Giulia. According to the press release, the Stelvio D-SUV registered 2,821 units, representing over 10 % of the segment, while the Giulia sports sedan achieved a segment share of 3.5 %.
Alfa Romeo Italy press release for May 2024:
"Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio shine in May. Despite a declining market, Alfa Romeo closed the first five months of the year with excellent performances from the Stelvio and Giulia: the Alfa Romeo D-SUV recorded 2,821 registered units and a segment share of over 10 %, while the sporty Giulia sedan gained a segment share of 3.5 %. Growth for both models was also supported by a significant increase in the private channel: compared with the previous year, in fact, the Giulia increased by 25 % and the Stelvio by 14 %. The figures are set to improve further thanks to Stellantis' "Diamo valore al made in Italy" initiative, in addition to the recently launched state subsidies. A significant contribution to brand growth will come from the new Junior, which is taking countless pre-orders for the recent Ibrida and Elettrica versions."
This press release highlights an intriguing fact: while sales of the Stelvio and Giulia are on the rise, the Giulia is not, it's the Alfa Romeo Tonale that seems to be suffering. With a total of over 16,000 units sold in five months, Alfa Romeo nonetheless remains on a good footing, compared with 14,404 cars registered in 2022 and 26,787 units in 2023. However, the recent negative trend is one to watch closely.
Month | 2023 | 2024 | Change (%) |
---|---|---|---|
January | 3 317 | 3 799 | +14,5 % |
February | 3 289 | 3 442 | +4,7 % |
March | 5 247 | 4 772 | -9,1 % |
April | 2 382 | 2 291 | -3,8 % |
May | 2 677 | 2 001 | -25,3 % |
Total | 16 912 | 16 305 | -3,6 % |
The situation in Italy contrasts with that in France and Spain, where Alfa Romeo posted positive year-on-year results. On the other hand, figures for Germany and the United States, two other important markets for the brand, are expected.
The drop in sales in recent months, and particularly in May, is therefore particularly worrying, marking a surprising slowdown for a brand that has always counted Italy among its strongest bastions. The dynamism of the Stelvio and Giulia will not be enough to offset the decline of the Tonale, which may have reached its plateau.
When is the end? What a misery...
"Oddly enough, this coincides with the presentation of Milano pardon Junior, an affront to Italy...
I say strangely...
La Tonale doveva essere il modello di transazione dell'Alfa verso l'elettrico, attraverso le Hybrid (mild o full) e la Plug In dovevano diventare il cavallo di battaglia di Alfa Romeo, ed invece chi ti spunta? La versione Diesel (130 CV) , quindi in definitiva quella che doveva essere la "cenerentola" delle Tonale, è diventata il punto di riferimento delle vendite, ma senza una campagna marketing e senza un prodotto "attraente". Poi che dire 53.000 € per una Plug in è forse troppo tenuto conto della concorrenza e dei prodotti come Audi, Mercedes e BMW.
Quindi, secondo me, la Tonale si sta riposizionando sul mercato in attesa anche degli eco incentivi e in virtù del lancio della Junior e di quello che accadrà con la Stelvio nel 2025 , anch'essa con grandi incognite sulle motorizzazioni.
Aspettiamo le evoluzioni e vediamo se la Tonale potrà ricominciare a correre nelle vendite... un abbraccio Alessandro Dido... Pesaro