In this article we are going over the Top 50 models ranking up to October 2023 of the largest European car market.

The undiscussed leader remains the Volkswagen Golf, now in its eighth generation model. Reporting 64,930 sales,  a 7.8% year-on-year loss.

The Volkswagen T-roc maintains 2nd spot with 59,337 new sales (+19.6%), in front of the Volkswagen Tiguan which sold 52,887 units (+15.9%).

The Opel Corsa maintains 4th spot with 44,662 sales (+10.8%), in front of the Volkswagen Passat -up 1 spot- with 40,571 sales (+23.9%), the Tesla Model Y at 40,257 (+66.5%) and the Mercedes C Class with 38,527 new sales (+41.8%).

The Mini falls 3 spots into 8th with 37,756 sales (+14.9%), followed by the Skoda Octavia with 36,324 registrations (+24.0%) and finally the Volkswagen ID.4 -up 39 spots- with 30,657 units sold (+107.4%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top 50 models.

In this article we are going over the Top 50 models ranking 2022 of the largest European car market.

The undiscussed leader remains the Volkswagen Golf, now in its eighth generation model. Accumulating sales at 84,282 with a year-on-year variation of -8.0%.

The Volkswagen Tiguan follows with a total of 59,136 sales (+6.5%), overtaking the Volkswagen T-roc which sold 58,942 units (+2.6%).

The Opel Corsa moves into 4th place with 50,191 sales (+1.4%), in front of the Mini -up 2 spots- with 40,142 sales (-6.5%), the Volkswagen Passat at 39,261 (-14.1%) and the Ford Kuga -up 9 spots- with 38,482 total sales (+32.2%).

In 8th place we have the BMW 3 Series with 36,261 sales (-14.1%), followed by the Tesla Model Y -up from 127th- with 35,426 (+705.1%) and finally the Audi A3-up 8 spots- with 35,052 sales (+23.0%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top 50 models.

The largest European car market dominator, the Volkswagen Golf remains the undiscussed leader, with its eighth generation. However, the growth of the SUV segment reduced the space for hatch versions, and the Golf market share has dropped to 3.8% with sales at 91,621.

The Volkswagen T-Roc -up 5 spots- sold 57,424 (2.4% share), followed by the Volkswagen Tiguan which sold 55,527 units (2.3% share).

The Opel Corsa reached 4th place with 49,475 sales (2% share). Behind, we find the Volkswagen Up! -up 21 spots- with 46,708 sales (1.9% share), followed by the Volkswagen Passat -down 4 spots- with 45,696 units sold (1.9% market share).

In 7th place we have the Mini -down 3 spots- with 42,938 sales (1.8% share) and the BMW 3 Series with 41,704 sales (1.7% share), followed by the Skoda Octavia falling 4 spots with 40,663 units (1.7% share) and finally the Tesla Model 3 -up 48 spots- with 35,262 units sold (1.5% share).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top 50 models.

The largest European car market dominator, the Volkswagen Golf is signing the 45th consecutive year on top, with its eighth generation. However, the growth of the SUV segment reduced the space for hatch versions, and the Golf market share has dropped to 5.1% with sales at 136.324 (-33.4%).

The Volkswagen Passat sold 60.904 (+2.7%) and entered the podium by jumping 3 spots, overtaking the Volkswagen Tiguan, which fell 31.2% and sold 60.380 units.

The Ford Focus climbed 3 spots, landing in 4th place with 53.378 sales (-8.4%). Behind, we find the Skoda Octavia -up 3 spots- with 53.302 sales (-3.5%), followed by the Opel Corsa (+2.9%) with 53.199 units sold.

In 7th place we have the Volkswagen T-Roc -down 1 spot- with 50.822 sales (-13.7%) and the BMW 3 Series -up 9 spots- with 47.273 sales (+9.1%), while at the end of the leaderboard there is the Volkswagen Polo -down 5 spots- with 46.174 (-24.7%) followed by the Mini -up 1 spot- with 44.152 units sold (-11.7%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top 50 models.

For the last 44 years the largest car market in Europe was dominated by a single model, the Volkswagen Golf. Today this glorious model is still on top while the next generation the eight has been just presented to the market. However, the growth of SUV segment reduced the space for hatch versions and the Golf market share ended in 2019 at 6.1%, down 2.8 points of share since the 2015.

The second brand was a SUV – the Volkswagen Tiguan – hitting the new record share, with 2.6%.

In third, the Mercedes C Class with a stable share near 2.0% followed by the Volkswagen Polo holding 1.8%.

In fifth place, the Volkswagen Passat with 1.8%, followed by the new entry, the Volkswagen T-Roc with 1.8% and the Ford Focus at 1.7%.

B the Skoda Octavia, the Opel Corsa and the Audi A4.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top 50 models.

In the 2018, the car passenger’s market is moderately negative. Indeed, according to data released by the V.D.A. and the V.D.I.K.  the market fell down 0.2%, closing the year with 3.433.843 units sold. The market has been largely affected by the deadline of September 1st for introduction of WLTP emission standard, moving up and down the registrations data in single Q3 months. In fact, the positive pre-WLTP period was followed huge falls in September and October.

As far as model ranking, the story to tell starts from second place as the throne is reserved, as in the previous 42 years, for the Volkswagen Golf. Sales in the 2018 had a wide gap over all other models, as Golf was sold in 211.512 units (-7.3%).

In second place the Volkswagen Tiguan with 74.749 sales (+4.6%) followed by the Volkswagen Polo with 70.488 (+14.8%).

In fourth place the Volkswagen Passat with 70.007 (-3.3%) ahead of the Mercedes C Class with 62.784 (-6.4%), the Skoda Octavia with 58.444 (-1.2%) and the Audi A4 with 53.340 (-10.3%).

In eight place the Mercedes E Class with 51.175 units (-2.6%) followed by the Mini with 50.494 (+9.3%) and in 10th place the Ford Focus with 49.279 (+8.6%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 100 Models.

Economic Environment

Switzerland economy  floundered in Q3 due to falling exports and weaker domestic growth, while Q4 data has thus far been mixed. The KOF economic barometer fell again in November and the unemployment rate inched up in the same month. Nevertheless, retail sales rebounded in October and the manufacturing PMI recovered in November. Meanwhile, lengthy negotiations with the EU over an institutional framework agreement, to closer align Swiss law with EU regulations, have become more contentious in recent weeks.

Economic momentum is expected to ebb in 2019 on weakening external demand due to slower regional growth. Moreover, the licensing-revenue impetus from major sporting events in 2018 will dissipate.

Market Trend

Switzerland vehicles market in the last five years has been really stable with car passenger’s volume between the 300.000 and 330.000 units ending the 2017 at 314.088 sales (-1.1%).

In the 2018 the trend within the car passenger’s segment is keeping the marginal negative line. Indeed, according to the data released by the Auto Suisse, the Association of local Automotive Importers, sales have decreased by 4.6% with 299.705 units sold. The market was unable to reach the 300.000 level for the first time since 2010. The year ended with a negative annual gain for the third time in a row, influenced by the WLTP regulation introduced for EU Countries on September 1.

Competitive Arena

At brand wise, no changes on top of the 2018 list, with Volkswagen leader with at 32.949 (-8.4%) with 11% of market share.

The battle for the second place has been very interesting with just few units between the contenders, Mercedes and BMW. Actually Mercedes prevailed with 25.661 sales (-1.6%) over BMW with 24.283 (-2.5%).

Behind Skoda with 19.160 units (-6.9%) ahead of Audi with 18.378 (-10.9%), Ford with 15.185 (+9.4%), Renault with 12.729 (-8.2%), Opel with 11.933 (-15%), Seat with 11.468 (-4.9%) and in 10th place Peugeot with 9.712 (-4.9%).

At model wise, the 2018 best-selling is the Skoda Octavia with 8.661 sales (-13.5%) ahead of the Volkswagen Golf with 7.385 (-22.3%) and the Volkswagen Tiguan with 7.276 (+2.3%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands and top 10 Manufacturers Group.

German vehicles market volume record was established in the 2009, but in the recent years the market has steady growth, reporting an increase from the 2.95 million cars sold in the 2013 to the 3.43 million in the 2017 (+2.7% from the previous year), with further expected growth in the current and next year.

As far as model ranking, as for the last 42 years, the best-selling model in Germany was the Volkswagen Golf despite losing, as in the rest of Europe, suffering for the decline of the hatchback segment and the growth of compact SUVs. However, the Queen of German vehicles has been sold in 222.967 units, down 4.6%.

In second place the recently renovated Volkswagen Tiguan, up 5 spots, with 71.437 sales (+11.7%) able to overtake since October two rivals,  the Volkswagen Passat, actually third with 70.176 units (-11.9%) and the Mercedes C Class, actually fourth with 67.053 sales (+1.2%).

In fifth place the Volkswagen Polo with 61.376 sales (-14.8%) followed by the Skoda Octavia with 59.147 units (+0.8%) and the Audi A4 with 56.721 (-7.8%).

In eight place the Opel Astra with 56.327 (-13.6%) followed by the Mercedes E Class, new entry in top 10, up 11 spots, with 52.542 units (+27.1%) and in 10th place by the Volkswagen Touran, the 5th Volkswagen out of top 10, with 52.182 (-0.6%)

In an almost stable ranking, the first new entrance was the Audi Q2, landed in 38th place, while the Seat Ateca ranked 52nd and the Skoda Kodiaq was 65th.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for Top 100 models.

Market Outlook

There are encouraging signs from the consumer side of the economy: retail sales increased in November and bucked a two-year downward trend. The FocusEconomics panel expects growth of 1.5%, which is unchanged from last month’s Consensus. In 2018, panelists project that GDP will expand 1.6%.

Albeit with slight sales losses, the Swiss cars market in 2016 was one of the rare in Europe to decline y.o.y. with 317.318 units (-2.0%). Despite the registrations posted the third negative performance since 2010, it was the sixth consecutive year with over 0.3 million units sold.

According to data released by the Auto Suisse, the Association of local Automotive Importers, in December the cars passengers has been 35.331 sales (+8.2%).

Competitive Arena

Despite the Dieselgate, the market leader in 2016 was of course Volkswagen with 42.142 units (-0.2%) ahead of BMW and Mercedes respectively up 2.8% and 4.2% at 24.780 and 23.842. The greatest increases were reported for Jaguar, Cadillac, Bentley, Honda, Dacia and Alfa Romeo, while the best performers was Infiniti, surging 172.7%.

Lancia and Dodge posted the worst performances losing 33.9% and 30.4%, followed by Nissan, Citroen, Smart, Peugeot, Audi and Jeep.

The Volkswagen Golf was on the first step of the podium for the 23rd consecutive year with 11.988 units (-21.6%) ahead of the Skoda Octavia with 11.721 (-4.1%) and the Volkswagen Polo with 6.516 (+30.7%).

In fourth place, the new Volkswagen Tiguan with 6.434 units (+62.9%) was the most popular SUV in Switzerland.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 models.