New Fiat Bravo
The Italians launch another new great hope for success - the all new Bravo. The name was revived after the complete fail of the Stilo. Overall styling of the new Bravo is similar to that of the Grande Punto and it is likely to inherit the Bravo’s smaller brother market success. Although What Car? gives just 3 stars out of 5 for Bravo (it scores less than its main European and Asian rivals in this small family cars cut-throat market segment) we say Forza Italia!
Italian Superminis 2006 Top 5
In Italy Fiat Group’s Fiat and Lancia brands still beat everyone in supermini range - the new Punto, Panda and Ypsilon are the cars of choice for italian city driving. Surprisingly the Japaneese Yaris found a way to an italian motoring heart, and the old Fiesta still keeps a beat. The French with Renault Clio and Citroen C3 can’t even come close to top 5.
- Fiat Punto 229.623
- Fiat Panda 148.877
- Ford Fiesta 77.190
- Toyota Yaris 65.163
- Lancia Ypsilon 64.602
German Market Small SUV 2006 Trends: Tucson beats X-Trail
Analyzing German small economy 4×4 sales figures in 2006
| 2006 | 2005 | |
| Toyota RAV 4 | 20.429 | 17.475 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 13.645 | 8.202 |
| Nissan X-Trail | 7.894 | 10.179 |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 7.843 | 4.813 |
| Honda CR-V | 6.704 | 6.529 |
3 fast conclusions came to mind:
- Toyota RAV4 still reigns in the world of small SUVs
- Hyundai Tucson greatly outperformed the ailing Nissan X-Trail which is now showing its age
- Suzuki made a good push with the new Grand Vitara while neither it nor Honda CR-V could come close to leaders