What are the best selling car models across Europe?

Market analyst JATO Dynamics has released details on the best-selling vehicles in European Union countries this year, as reported by Autocar. The findings are categorised by vehicle bodystyle.

Starting from the compact end of the spectrum, the Fiat 500 topped the chart for city cars with 71,416 units sold, followed by runners-up the Fiat Panda and the Volkswagen Up. Next up is the B-segment hatchback category, where the Renault Clio takes class honours with 113,953 sales charted, followed by the Ford Fiesta in second and the Volkswagen Polo in third.

Moving up a class size into the C-segment, the Volkswagen Golf takes the top spot as it racked up 172,952 sales. it also became the best-seller in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Latvia and Luxembourg, taking runner-up in Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and third-place in Denmark, Ireland and Sweden. Second and third places for Europe went to the Skoda Octavia and the Ford Focus respectively.

Next up is the D-segment or mid-size sedan and estate, which has been topped by another Volkswagen, the Passat with 59,324 units sold. Second in the category is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, followed by the Audi A4 in third.

What are the best selling car models across Europe?

The executive class is capped by the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with 44,197 units sold, helping the Stuttgart-based marque become the world’s largest premium automaker ahead of Munich rivals BMW. Incidentally, the BMW 5 Series takes second place, with the Audi A6 coming in at third. The luxury class was won by Mercedes-Benz too, with the S-Class taking the honours with 5,459 units sold.

“No big changes in the traditional segments. However, the premium cars continue to gain share in the upper segments, with two premium cars in the top three in the mid-size segment. The new Panamera continues to attract more clients than the latest 7 Series, while the S-Class seems to be untouchable,” said JATO Dynamics of the current state of affairs.

The compact SUV/crossover segment is the fastest-growing in the industry according to Autocar, and here Renault can claim another win with the Captur, which scored 73,828 sales, beating the Peugeot 2008 and the Dacia Duster for class honours.

The next rung up the ladder is for the mid-size SUV, one we may know better locally as the C-segment SUV. The title for best-seller in class goes to the Nissan Qashqai, which beats the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Peugeot 3008 to the top step. The French manufacturer does however claim the top spot for the next category, the large SUV with the Peugeot 5008 at 28,380 units sold, beating the Skoda Kodiaq and the Nissan X-Trail.

“The SUV segment continues to be the main driver of growth in the industry. Peugeot shines in the mainstream segment, placing each of its SUVs in the top three of their respective segments. The Qashqai continues to lead, despite its age and the strong competition. Due to the new arrivals, the X-Trail lost its top position as the main seven-seater option,” JATO Dynamics noted.

The small premium SUV class is topped by the BMW X1 with 40,239 units sold, beating the Mercedes-Benz GLA in second place and the Audi Q3 in third. The Munich marque is beaten in the next class up however, with the Mercedes-Benz GLC attaining sales of 42,815 units for top spot, leading the Volvo XC60 and the Audi Q5 in second and third places respectively.

What are the best selling car models across Europe?

The large premium SUV segment is topped by the Volvo XC90 with 11,565 units sold, beating the BMW X5 and Range Rover Sport. “As the GLA and Q3 near replacement, the more recent X1 leads the compact SUV segment. The mid-size premium SUV market is no longer dominated by the Volvo XC60, despite the recent launch of a new generation,” said JATO Dynamics.

Now for the people-movers. The most popular small MPV is the Fiat 500L with 22,011 units sold, beating the Honda Jazz (yes, a hatch to our eyes..) and the Dacia Lodgy for second and third spots respectively. Mid-sized MPV honours go to the Volkswagen Touran with 36,295 units sold, beating the Renault Scenic and the Citroen C4 Spacetourer.

It’s a dead heat for the large MPV segment, with the Mercedes-Benz V-Class and the Seat Alhambra tied at 9,540 units sold each. Autocar notes that V-Class sales are down 5% year-on-year with the Alhambra looking at a 2% decline, noting that a tiebreak is not far off. the Ford S-Max completes the trio of large MPV bestsellers.

“The Scénic is one of the few MPVs of any size to post positive change. As the segment demand plunges, it’s significant to see a double-digit growth posted by the French MPV, which incorporates many SUV styling features,” said JATO Dynamics.

What are the best selling car models across Europe?

Onwards to the sports cars. The small sports car category is topped by the Mazda MX-5 with 5,287 units sold, running ahead of platform sibling the Fiat 124 Spider and the Lotus Elise in second and third. The mid-sized sports car has the Audi TT as the most popular at 5,520 units sold, while Porsche’s 718 models took second place. The iconic Ford Mustang takes third place.

Thus far, the sports car chart is dominated by icons – MX-5, TT and now the Neunelfer fr the large sports car class. The Porsche 911 is the best-selling in this lot with 7,801 units sold, and is Europe’s most popular of any size category, with the Mercedes-AMG GT and Ferrari 488 rounding up the podium for second and third places respectively.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Banzai!! The iconic Nissan Qashqai & Mazda MX-5 come out tops!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 5
    • Rajoo Selvam on Jun 14, 2018 at 8:06 pm

      Fiat is actually a very good car. But pity, the franchise was given to the abangs in Torino Motors and instead of making a brand a success in Malaysia….they were most of the time tidur in opis.

      I wish we bring back Fiat to Malaysia

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 26 Thumb down 13
      • Toyota mana? Sudah kasi telur?
        Even P1 Lotus is in the list. Mana Toyota lord?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 14
        • Abd Karim on Jun 15, 2018 at 1:41 pm

          We don’t need sarcastic comments like this. Now New Malaysia.

          Toyota is doing well. Their sales have overtaken even our Nasional car Proton.

          We don’t need cybertroopers to attack Toyota anymore and go “Oh wai” after every sentence

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 18
          • Topkek on Jun 15, 2018 at 11:39 pm

            It was great to find the Muhibah spirit is back and alive in our Malaysia Baru. Raya open houses seen all Malaysians just set aside their differences in skin color and religious belief to live and celebrate as a one big happy family.

            Not too long ago when unscrupulous leaders were allowed to behave and make reckless utterance with impunity for mere sake of political exigency. Previous administration using matters of race and religion to gain votes.

            It is indeed exhilarating to see Malaysians have embrace the ‘Muhibbah’ spirit that has traditionally characterized the proud Malaysian society again.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
          • yawnz on Jun 16, 2018 at 1:48 am

            Yawn. Toyota didn’t even make it to the list but Proton Lotus is there. Still want to defend Toyota? People buy Toyota becuz of name becuz its good.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
          • yawnz on Jun 16, 2018 at 9:43 am

            Toyota only depends on commerckial vehicles, passenger ones like Vios tarak laku

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
          • John Tewas on Jun 17, 2018 at 11:19 am

            yes john aka yawnz, we bilip you. MAA figures don’t lie. They differentiate between commercial and passenger in their graphs.

            Who to bilip? john or MAA?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
          • Hahaha. Enuff lar. Alredi got kantoied for hijacking other pipus nick, like bro yawnz & haha, but u go accuse me of doing what u did. No shame kah?

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
      • Abu Bakar on Jun 15, 2018 at 1:31 pm

        Mana Proton? Mana Geely? Dulu john cakap Proton dan Geely better than Mercedes. Kata Geely banyak power dan boleh beli saham Daimler Mercedes etc. Kata Proton pakai technology Mercedes.

        Mana Proton dan Geely bang?

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 11
        • “…the Fiat 124 Spider and the Lotus Elise in second and third”.

          Booyah! Deswai I said. U never bothered to read and blindly bash. Typical poorly educated trooper.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
        • Toyota mana? Hahahahaha!

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
          • John Tewas on Jun 17, 2018 at 11:23 am

            Toyota never brag but Proton fanboys brag their Proton cars use Mercedes technology.

            Proton fanboys always say Proton will use AMG technology now Geely got 4% of Mercedes AG……oh wai!!!!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
          • “the Fiat 124 Spider and the Lotus Elise in second and third”
            FACEPALM!
            Like bro above ask, Toyota mana? Lolz!

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Osaka Boyle on Jun 15, 2018 at 3:11 am

      Anything mentioned about CX3 as someone always mentioned CX3 is the most premium SUV OF THEM ALL..

      LOL

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 4
      • John May 9 Nangis on Jun 15, 2018 at 2:02 pm

        I hope Tan Chong brings down the Qashai. Such a good looking SUV

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
        • Tan Chong always think they can bring back the glorious day of Datsun/Nissan Sunny by concerntrating on the obsolete and Ugly Almera model in beating Proton Saga and Toyota Vious sales.

          Period to Tan Chong ( day dreaming always )

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
      • Wahab Izu on Jun 15, 2018 at 4:18 pm

        LOL euforia… Bestest aidilfitri eva!!
        Salam Hari Raya Malaysia Baru!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
      • taknaktoyota on Jun 15, 2018 at 7:14 pm

        Toyota also jaguh kampung , it is a joke in Europe

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 3
        • Toyota shud just go back and tanam jagung kampung. Its not even tops in anywhere in the world. Pathetic.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
        • karam singh on Jun 16, 2018 at 5:05 pm

          honda is champion now in south east asia. huge joke in europe.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • John May 9 Nangis on Jun 15, 2018 at 2:03 pm

      Nissan and Mazda is top quality. That is why sales here tinggi

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
      • nosushi on Jun 17, 2018 at 9:22 am

        Jepunis now got no quality, takatagate, metalsheetgate, brakegate, QCgate, etc

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
      • Nissan & Mazda sales here tinggi? Err, which here r u referring to? Timbuktu? Lolz!

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • No korean car?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • koreans are never chart toppers in Europe, they’re more popular in Australia

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
      • What happen the CRV and CX5 which was much praised by

        1) By Malaysia Paultan on CRV
        2) By Australia car Guide– CX5

        Not even selling well in Europe too !!

        So NO CRV and CX% too.. – Sushi not appreciated even 3008 and Renault Captur sell way better.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
        • changwl on Jun 16, 2018 at 2:57 pm

          CX5 was one of the three finalists of 2018 World Car of the Year which was won by Volvo XC60 and runner-up is Range Rover Velar. CRV did not even make it to the 10 finalists. Somehow Paultan seem to like Honda vehicles very much or is it my imagination?

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
          • cayenne on Jun 17, 2018 at 3:22 pm

            CX5 is crampy for its class and the engine is not really torquey at lowish RPM

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
    • Yang Kacak on Jun 14, 2018 at 10:52 pm

      Nah. the italian Fiat is back

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
    • BeemerFreak on Jun 15, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Korean sales much stronger in USA

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Sonyman on Jun 15, 2018 at 12:36 am

    Mana toyota?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
    • Sushi Sucks on Jun 15, 2018 at 3:38 pm

      TOYOTA with dinosaur and obsolete technology models
      CANNOT SELL in Europe countries.

      Only Third world countries like malaysia buys TOYOTA

      But the Rich, well to do and smart Malaysian never buy or own TOYOTA.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 2
  • Meanwhile in Malaysia, don’t trust Volkswagen due to DSG issue

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 20
    • VW Owner Since 2005 on Jun 15, 2018 at 12:28 pm

      Please la. DSG is no longer an issue for the new VWs. Dont be a broken record. I have owned 4 VWs since 2005. Including the previous Mark 6 TSI which has a dry clutch. No issues whatsover if you follow VWs advice and service regularly at the centre. Most old VWs with issues are the ones serviced at small unlicensed workshops. These guys do not have a clue about dry clutch maintenance.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 22 Thumb down 3
      • cibikcai on Jun 16, 2018 at 9:46 am

        Pls read VW owners FB, your case is isolated one

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 11
        • FamLee on Jun 17, 2018 at 9:25 am

          Old story in the Facebook bro. Also a lot of keyboard warrior there.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
        • NotAhBengKia on Jun 17, 2018 at 9:27 am

          All those are the Ah Beng owners who buy VE and service in Ah Beng workshop, thinking its a simple Toyota.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
    • BeemerFreak on Jun 15, 2018 at 1:03 pm

      Yawn…..old story…next please.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
  • Audi A4 & Merc C-class are D-segment cars? X-trail is a large SUV???

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
    • waters on Jun 15, 2018 at 4:33 pm

      Erm..ya. They have always been in the D-segment category. As for the X-trail, it is considered a large SUV because of it’s 7 seater capability.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • intermilan on Jun 15, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Peugeot seems to be in positive trend in. Their products are top 3 in all mainstream SUV segments.

    In Malaysia context, the issue of problematic turbo engine seems to have been resolved.

    Their latest offerings now come with latest variation of the turbo engine and its seems free of past problems. Hardly heard engine / turbo related complaints on their latest models.

    They might just be able to grow their SUV sales (and other models too) if they play their card right.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • Saiful Hamdan on Jun 16, 2018 at 12:13 am

      They are the most reliable brand in the UK iirc.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • sam123 on Jun 16, 2018 at 3:01 pm

      To be fair. problematic dealer still.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
    • stastasta on Jun 19, 2018 at 2:06 pm

      you hardly hear of problems because their current generation 308 with the updated drivetrain only launched 2 years ago. give it another 2 years for problems to crop up once out of warranty.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Bernard on Jun 16, 2018 at 12:33 am

    It’s clear msians and Europeans differ considerably in taste for vehicles ….it’s like the difference between caviar and nasi lemak/char ky/thosai…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • mana toyota? they sold over 2 million in us alone.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • People there buys toyota becuz its cheap, not becuz its good. In the dog-eat-dog world in EU where there’s so many to choose from, toyota is nowhere.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • USA market for new cars are like ROJAK unlike Europe ( demand better quality , pricing , technology , safety, performance and more brand conscious)

      In USA ,as long as the cars are cheap, nice and suit the buyers needs , any car brands will sell irrespective a better brands or not.

      Furthermore, the population of USA with about 330 million people and selling 2 million Toyota there is actually a very small achievement which should in fact be more unlike Malaysia.

      Toyota pricing is very cheap in USA sometimes giving huge discounts with good offers when Toyota new car monthly sales are down

      Toyota operates a few production plants in USA .

      Buying a Toyota in USA is like buying a Proton Saga and MYvi pricing ..an locally built in USA plants too where Toyota USA is making a small profit margin out of every car being made and sold in USA.

      Toyota is after all a non premium brand and affordable car for everyone able to buy in USA. In USA if Toyota cannot sell in volume despite all the advantages and long establishment history, then It had to close shop in USA for good.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Anak Malaysia. on Jun 16, 2018 at 9:08 am

    What is the benefit of this data to us in Malaysia anyway? For me this is pointless, sorry… Pls focus on our region news please…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
    • stastasta on Jun 19, 2018 at 2:07 pm

      this reports give people with enough intelligence a chance to analyse the differences and come out with reason why the differences exist. for example why audi sells well in europe but not in malaysia ? we could hypothesize that its because malaysia audi distributor performs poorly.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Different market, different taste

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
    • Not necessary correct.

      Mercedes and BMW sell well in every markets ( with same taste) and how can we say different market different taste.

      As long the car brand carries good modern technologies, safety features, Performance , Premium feel , Comfort, Better specs and pricing , it will sell in Europe.

      In Europe , The Japanese cars are price higher and lower specs than some of the better European cars , that why japanese cars like Toyota and Honda cannot sell in higher volume there.

      European does not need to buy a “No Frill” Toyota or Honda car as most European cars, themselves are better specs , safer , cheaper to buy and own in most European countries .

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Yebwoy on Jun 25, 2018 at 3:08 pm

    Wish they bring back Fiat & Alfa. Malaysia got serious lack of diversity, everyone you meet either drive perodua, toyota/honda or bmw/merc lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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