In a European market that is recovering at a moderate pace, the group led by Cappellano is gaining ground again — and international awards are piling up.
The start of 2026 was promising for Stellantis. With the European automotive market registering a growth of 3.7% compared to the same period last year, the multinational group not only kept pace with the trend but exceeded it — simultaneously increasing both the number of registrations and its market share in the main countries of the continent.
“The first three months of 2026 consolidated the recovery process already initiated by Stellantis at the end of last year. We continue to build a strong growth momentum, driven by our business recovery plan, which is firmly focused on customer needs.”
— Emanuele Cappellano, Director of Operations for Extended Europe
Italy is, at this moment, a case study. The five best-selling models across the country are Stellantis: the Fiat Pandina leads the chart, followed by the Jeep Avenger and the Fiat Grande Panda. The Citroën C3 occupies fourth place and the Leapmotor T03 is fifth — with the latter brand already establishing itself as the reference in the pure electric segment. In total, the group recorded a growth of 6.7% in sales in that market. In France, Stellantis reaffirmed its leadership position, with a market share close to 31% and five models among the ten best-selling.
But it was in Germany that the numbers were most surprising. First-quarter sales grew by 15.2% compared to the same period in 2025, with market share rising by 1.2 percentage points to 12.7%. This performance contrasts with the usual difficulty faced by manufacturers outside the German axis in gaining ground in one of the world’s most demanding markets.
International Recognitions
The strong commercial performance is accompanied by a wave of international distinctions that encompasses nearly the entire range of the group. Since the beginning of the year, Stellantis brands have accumulated awards in several European countries:
United Kingdom
Fiat Grande Panda — “Best Bargain” at the Top Gear Electric Vehicle Awards 2026
France
Citroën ELO — “Concept Car of the Year 2026” at the Trophées de L’Argus
Germany
Abarth 500e — 10th trophy for “Best Mini Car” by Auto motor und sport; Opel Mokka GSE — “Golden Steering Wheel 2025”
Portugal
Grande Panda — City Car of the Year; Citroën ë-C5 Aircross — Family Car of the Year; Leapmotor C10 — Plug-in Hybrid of the Year; Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale — Design
Europe
Fiat Grande Panda — “AUTOBEST CONQUEST 2026” in Design; Citroën C3 Aircross — “Best Users’ Car of Europe 2026”
The Citroën C3 Aircross deserves particular attention: the award “Best Users’ Car of Europe 2026,” awarded by the AUTOBEST jury, precisely distinguishes what the brand has been striving to do — develop vehicles thought from the perspective of the actual user, and not just from technical specifications.
The next decisive moment for the group is scheduled for May 21, in Detroit, where Stellantis will hold its “Investor Day” and present the strategic plan for the coming years. It will be the occasion for the market to assess whether the vigor demonstrated at the start of 2026 has long-term support.