VW sales bounce back up in January.

According to preliminary data by ACEA, new car sales in Europe (27 countries EU+UK+EFTA) drops -2.1% year-on-year in January to 995,271 units. Among the Top 5 markets, France (-6.2%), Italy (-5.8%),  Germany (-2.8%) and the UK (-2.5%) struggle whereas Spain (+5.3%) shines. The best performing markets this month are Norway (+82.4%), Lithuania (+33%), Iceland (+30%), Denmark (+22.6%), Austria (+16.5%), Sweden (+14.4%), Hungary (+13.4%) and Latvia (+11.7%). Worst offenders include Estonia (-66.3%), Bulgaria (-30.1%), Slovakia (-16.8%), Greece (-16.4%), Belgium (-13%) and Finland (-12.9%). BEV sales shoot up 37.3% to 166,065 and 16.7% share vs. 11.9% in January 2024 which was a particularly low base with the end of German subsidies. HEVs hold 34.9% share (+16.9%), petrol 29.2% (-20.5%), diesel 8.8% (-26.5%) and PHEV 7.6% (-6.4%).

Looking at the OEM ranking, the VW Group (+5.3%) and Renault Group (+5.4%) both defy the negative market with solid gains but Stellantis (-16%) is in freefall. Hyundai-Kia (-3.7%), the Toyota Group (-4.4%) and the BMW Group (-2.9%) all lose a little market share year-on-year. Brand-wise, Volkswagen (+16.6%) is in splendid form, scoring the only gain in the Top 7, and a sizeable one at that. Toyota (-7.6%) suffers but stays in 2nd place ahead of BMW (-1.8%), Skoda (-3.4%) and Peugeot (-3.4%). Renault (+18.1%) benefits from a dismal year-ago result but falls five spots on December to #8, below its sister brand Dacia (-5.2%) at #7. Cupra (+56.7%) comfortably outsells Seat (-14.5%) with MG (+36.8%) and Mercedes (+3%) also in positive. Tesla (-45.2%) crashes to less than 10,000 sales.

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Full January 2025 Top 10 groups and Top 30 brands below.

Europe January 2025 – groups (Source ACEA):

PosGroupJan-25/24DecFY241Volkswagen Group268,409+ 5.3%112Stellantis154,079– 16.0%323Renault Group97,910+ 5.4%234Hyundai-Kia83,297– 3.7%645Toyota Group80,270– 4.4%456BMW Group70,192– 2.9%567Mercedes42,532– 2.4%778Ford Motor31,516– 12.2%1089Nissan-Mitsubishi28,558– 11.1%n/an/a10Volvo25,172– 2.9%99

Europe January 2025 – brands (Source ACEA):

PosBrandJan-25/24DecFY241Volkswagen112,844+ 16.6%112Toyota72,804– 7.6%223BMW59,765– 1.8%434Skoda59,465– 3.4%645Peugeot55,445– 3.4%986Audi49,220– 7.8%877Dacia48,998– 5.2%798Renault  48,443+ 18.1%359Mercedes42,472+ 3.0%5610Kia41,762– 6.6%121111Hyundai41,535– 0.6%111012Ford  31,516– 12.2%141213Opel/Vauxhall28,449– 27.7%171314Citroën27,170– 16.8%191515Volvo25,172– 2.9%131416Nissan25,108– 7.7%181717Fiat23,608– 20.4%241818MG22,994+ 36.8%162019Cupra 20,855+ 56.7%202120Seat17,161– 14.5%151921Suzuki14,469– 8.5%232222Mazda11,064– 12.2%222323Jeep10,984– 9.6%272524Mini10,427– 9.1%212425Land Rover10,220– 1.3%262626Tesla9,945– 45.2%101627Porsche8,120– 10.2%252728Lexus7,466+ 43.7%282829Honda4,994– 16.3%302930Alfa Romeo4,792+ 21.3%3131

Source: ACEA