ROME, April 1 (Reuters) - New car registrations in Italy rose in March by 7.6% year-on-year to 185,367 vehicles, transport ministry data showed on Wednesday.

In January-March, registrations were up by 9.2% year-on-year, to 484,802 units.

Italian market leader Stellantis STLAM.MI, whose brands include Fiat, Jeep, Peugeot and Chinese joint venture Leapmotor, outperformed the market, with March sales up 10.8%, according to Reuters calculations.

The automaker's market share stood at 30.8% last month, according to the same calculations.

Chinese groups continued to make strong inroads in March, with BYD's 002594.SZ year-on-year sales up by 189.3% to 5,193 units, and Chery's 9973.HK Omoda/Jaecoo brands up 258% to 3,535 units.

Tesla's TSLA.O March sales rose 31,6% to 2,920 units.

(Writing by Francesca Piscioneri, editing by Alvise Armellini)

((francesca.piscioneri@thomsonreuters.com; 0680307713;))