its a very popular car for young people over here because of the range of smaller engines as well as the bigger range aswell such as the 1.4 turbo in te MK1 or the HGT 1.8 in the MK2 etc.
They also have a large range of aftermarked modding parts avaliable which are generaly inexpencive.
They are basicly a car that anyone can own becuase they are affordable and cheap to fix when they break.
I wouldnt call them the prefered car for europe though. It is (as ive said) a popular car for younger people to drive and modify though.
well when my mum went to italy she said every road was full of puntos, she said about 19 in 20 cars was a punto everywhere she went lol, even at the airport.