Lancia Ypsilon now outsells Audi A1 and Suzuki Swift (at home)

It may have slipped under the radar, but the little city car from Lancia is thumbing its nose at its foreign rivals... on home soil. In April 2025, the new Lancia Ypsilon achieved 1,084 registrations in Italy, compared with 858 for the Suzuki Swift and 774 for the Audi A1. A ranking that confirms a trend already begun in previous months: the Ypsilon now dominates its two rivals on the Italian market.

Italy, the Ypsilon's impregnable bastion

We said it back in April The Ypsilon is not yet playing in Europe's big league. It remains absent from markets such as Germany, and its debut outside Italy is still timid (350 units in France, 319 in Spain from January to April). But in ItalyLancia is back in the limelight with a new, larger, more modern, more technologically advanced city car.

Between January and April 2025, 4,010 Ypsilons were registered on the Italian market. By way of comparison, the Swift sold 3,700 units, and the Audi A1 3,444. The hierarchy in this trio has thus been reversed: the little Italian is ahead for the first time in a long time.

A much slower start-up internationally

While Lancia can be delighted with its success at home, international sales remain a challenge. Volumes are still very modest outside Italy: only 350 Ypsilons registered in France, 319 in Spain over the same period. And the city car's conspicuous absence from the German market still raises questions. It clearly suffers from a lack of visibility.

Still a long way from the top 3 city cars

But let's not cry miracle just yet. The Peugeot 208 remains Italy's leading city car, with 15,303 units sold between January and April. It is ahead of the Opel Corsa (10,455) and the Renault Clio (10,005). The Ypsilon remains at the bottom of the top 10, but is progressing month by month. Also in Italy, the new Ypsilon starts at €25,000, the Peugeot 208 from €17,200 and the Renault Clio from €19,000. At these prices, the latter two are available with non-hybrid powertrains and more entry-level equipment, when the Ypsilon plays the premium card.

Above all, it is no longer in the same category as the previous generation. Its move upmarket is obvious, and volume comparisons should be treated with caution.

Lancia succeeds in its (Italian) gamble?

This first local victory against well-established rivals is a strong signal for the brand. The Ypsilon is no longer a dying survivor, but a serious contender in the versatile city car segment. If the brand can get sales off the ground outside Italy - and stay the course in its home market, Lancia's renaissance gamble could really take shape.