Italian automaker Fiat saw new car sales rise in Europe last month despite a general market slump on the continent.
European new car sales fell 1.5% in September, over the same month last year, after leaping 7.4% in July and climbing 2.5% in August.
In Italy new car sales inched up 0.2% after jumping 10.7% in July and 6.8% in August.
Fiat Group Automobiles sales climbed 3.4% in September, over the same month last year, and were 6.7% higher in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2006.
September's results allowed the Fiat group to consolidate its position as Europe's fifth biggest seller with a 7.1% market share, up 0.4% from August when it stood at 6.9%.
Fiat's market share in September of last year stood at 6.7%
Sales of Fiat marque cars were up 4% last month, over September 2006, allowing it to capture 5.6% of the European market.
Lancia sales climbed 4.2% over last year and accounted for 0.7% of overall European sales, up from 0.6% in September 2006.
Alfa Romeo sales were stable allowing it to retain its 0.8% market share of a year ago.
Volkswagen remained Europe's biggest group last month followed by PSA and Ford which were tied for second, Renault, GM and Fiat.
