Portugal March 2012: Renault Clio leads, BMW 1 Series strong

BMW 1 Series

* See the Top 20 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Tuga *

New car sales in Portugal are still in hell, down 49% year-on-year to 9,622 registrations and 48% year-to-date at 23,511 units. To put things into perspective, let’s notice that the 2012 year-to-date total is inferior to the March 2010 figure alone at 23,831 sales. Also, March 2012 is 68% below the best month of March Portugal has known in 2000 when 30,016 units were sold.

Renault Clio

#3 in 2011, the Renault Clio has established itself on top of the Portuguese models ranking this year, selling 704 units this month for a huge 7.3% market share while the year-to-date total stands at 1,206 sales and 5.1%, down ‘only’ 23% year-on-year. The last time the Clio topped the ranking at year-end in Portugal was in 2008. The VW Polo and Opel Corsa both have excellent months and follow in the ranking while the Renault Megane is down 2 spots to #4 but stays #2 year-to-date at 841 units and 3.6%, down a worrying 70% year-on-year.

Mercedes C-Class

Exceptional performance of the Mercedes C-Class, up 4 ranks on February to 6th place with 287 sales and 3% share. It is now up from #14 in 2011 to #10 year-to-date in 2012. Another luxury model shines this month: the new generation BMW 1 Series breaks into the Top 10 for the very first time at #9 with 273 units and 2.8%, and is now #13 year-to-date with 482 sales and 2.1%. Notice also the Ford Focus #8 YTD at just -1%, the Chevrolet Aveo at #17 YTD up a massive 123% thanks to the new generation and the Audi A1 up to #20 this month.

Previous month: Portugal February 2012: VW Up! lands directly in 14th place

Full March 2012 Top 20 Ranking Table below.