Hungary 1998-1999: Suzuki Swift & Opel Astra kings of the road
Suzuki Swift
* See the Top 15/20 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Florian *
The Hungarian car market is very dynamic over the period, going from 103,900 registrations in 1998 to 129,100 in 1999 (+24%). The Suzuki Swift, built in the country, is by far the best-selling car in the country with an enormous 22.9% share in 98 thanks to 23,788 sales, improving to 23.5% and 30,335 units in 99… The Opel Astra/Zafira is also extremely strong at 12.5% in 98 and 11.7% in 99.
At much more modest levels, the Ford Escort/Focus rounds up the podium in both years at 4.6% then 4.2% share, followed by the VW Polo (4.2%) and Fiat Bravo/a/Marea (3.4%) in 98, then the VW Golf/Bora/Vento (3.8%) and Skoda Felicia (3.7%) in 99. Notice the Daewoo Matiz bursting into the Hungarian market in 99: it lands directly at #8 with 3,610 sales and 2.8% share. Other newcomers that year are the Peugeot 206 at #14 and the Toyota Yaris at #15.
Full Year 1998 Top 15 and 1999 Top 20 Ranking Tables below.
Hungary 1998:
| Pos | Model | 1998 | % | Pos |
| 1 | Suzuki Swift | 23,788 | 22.9% | 1 |
| 2 | Opel Astra/Zafira | 12,962 | 12.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Ford Focus/Escort | 4,801 | 4.6% | 3 |
| 4 | VW Polo | 4,314 | 4.2% | 4 |
| 5 | Fiat Bravo/a/Marea | 3,524 | 3.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Daewoo Lanos | 3,323 | 3.2% | 6 |
| 7 | Renault Megane | 2,958 | 2.8% | 7 |
| 8 | Skoda Felicia | 2,661 | 2.6% | 8 |
| 9 | Opel Corsa | 2,589 | 2.5% | 9 |
| 10 | Fiat Punto | 2,509 | 2.4% | 10 |
| 11 | VW Golf/Bora/Vento | 2,328 | 2.2% | 11 |
| 12 | Toyota Corolla | 1,958 | 1.9% | 12 |
| 13 | Seat Ibiza/Cordoba | 1,684 | 1.6% | 13 |
| 14 | Citroen Xsara | 1,532 | 1.5% | 14 |
| 15 | Nissan Almera | 1,162 | 1.1% | 15 |
Hungary 1999:
| Pos | Model | 1999 | % | /98 | 1998 | % | Pos |
| 1 | Suzuki Swift | 30,335 | 23.5% | 28% | 23,788 | 22.9% | 1 |
| 2 | Opel Astra/Zafira | 15,135 | 11.7% | 17% | 12,962 | 12.5% | 2 |
| 3 | Ford Focus/Escort | 5,427 | 4.2% | 13% | 4,801 | 4.6% | 3 |
| 4 | VW Golf/Bora/Vento | 4,855 | 3.8% | 109% | 2,328 | 2.2% | 11 |
| 5 | Skoda Felicia | 4,771 | 3.7% | 79% | 2,661 | 2.6% | 8 |
| 6 | Renault Megane | 4,078 | 3.2% | 38% | 2,958 | 2.8% | 7 |
| 7 | VW Polo | 4,017 | 3.1% | -7% | 4,314 | 4.2% | 4 |
| 8 | Daewoo Matiz | 3,610 | 2.8% | new | 5 | 0.0% | - |
| 9 | Fiat Punto | 3,060 | 2.4% | 22% | 2,509 | 2.4% | 10 |
| 10 | Daewoo Lanos | 3,028 | 2.3% | -9% | 3,323 | 3.2% | 6 |
| 11 | Fiat Bravo/a/Marea | 2,842 | 2.2% | -19% | 3,524 | 3.4% | 5 |
| 12 | Opel Corsa | 2,754 | 2.1% | 6% | 2,589 | 2.5% | 9 |
| 13 | Seat Ibiza/Cordoba | 2,666 | 2.1% | 58% | 1,684 | 1.6% | 13 |
| 14 | Peugeot 206 | 2,468 | 1.9% | 154% | 970 | 0.9% | n/a |
| 15 | Toyota Yaris | 2,248 | 1.7% | new | 0 | 0.0% | - |
| 16 | Toyota Corolla | 1,897 | 1.5% | -3% | 1,958 | 1.9% | 12 |
| 17 | Citroen Xsara | 1,826 | 1.4% | 19% | 1,532 | 1.5% | 14 |
| 18 | Renault Clio | 1,627 | 1.3% | 65% | 984 | 0.9% | n/a |
| 19 | Nissan Almera | 1,625 | 1.3% | 40% | 1,162 | 1.1% | 15 |
| 20 | Fiat Seicento | 1,495 | 1.2% | 63% | 919 | 0.9% | n/a |
Source: Aid, Interautonews. Many thanks to Florian for the tip!
