Austria February 2012: New Fiat Panda an instant hit

Fiat Panda

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

Month off for Austrian car sales, down 9% year-on-year to 24,005 registrations, bringing the year-to-date to 50,831 units, down 2% on 2011. While the VW Golf celebrates two full years (or 24 consecutive months) in pole position with 954 sales and 4% share, the VW Polo is back to its traditional 2nd place at 625 units and 2.6% while the Opel Astra is up one spot on January to rank #3 with 527 sales and 2.2%, making the February podium identical to the Full Year 2011 one.

In 4th place the VW Tiguan continues its outstanding run in Austria at 513 units and 2.1%, followed by the Seat Ibiza (+1), Skoda Octavia (-3) and Hyundai i30 (+2). The Nissan Qashqai, only #27 in 2011, is up to a fantastic 8th place this month with 399 sales and 1.7%. But February’s hero in Austria is the new gen Fiat Panda, up to #11 at 362 units and 1.5%, by far the nameplate’s highest ranking in the country in at least 2 years.

Other good performers this month include the Opel Zafira up to #23 with 274 sales and 1.1%, the BMW 1 Series up 18 spots to #26, the Audi Q3 breaking into the Austrian Top 50 (and 40!) for the very first time at #36 with 220 units and 0.9%, and the Mercedes B-Class in the Top 50 for the first time in years at #44 with 191 sales and 0.8%.

Previous month: Austria January 2012: Skoda Yeti up to best-ever 5th place

One year ago: Austria February 2011: Hyundai i30 up to #3, VW Touran in Top 10

Full February 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.