Spain August 2012: Nissan Qashqai confirms pole position

Nissan Qashqai

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For the first time since last January, the Spanish new car market is up year-on-year, albeit by a shy 3.5% to 48,966 registrations, in anticipation of the VAT increase from 18% to 21% due in September. The year-to-date total now stands at 521,075 units, down 9% on 2011. At 1,584 sales and 3.2% share, the Nissan Qashqai manages to stay in pole position for the 2nd consecutive month, the first time it does so in Spain. It is the 4th time overall that the Qashqai dominates the Spanish models ranking after December 2010, January 2012 and July 2012. It is still #2 year-to-date however at 16,423 units and 3.2% behind the Seat Ibiza, down to #5 this month, at 19,008 sales and 3.6%.

Opel Astra

Exceptional performance of the Opel Astra up from #15 in June and #7 in July to second place in August with 1,468 units and 3%, potentially the nameplate’s best score in the country in a decade. The Astra is #10 year-to-date like in 2011. The Seat Leon also has an outstanding month, up 3 spots to round up the podium with 1,438 sales and 2.9%, ahead of the VW Golf stable at #4 with 1,381 units and 2.8%. Other great performers in the Top 10 include the Ford Focus up 5 ranks to #7 and the Toyota Auris up 12 to #9.

Tata Aria

Further down, notice the Hyundai ix35 up 2 spots to #15, the Dacia Sandero up 12 to #16, the Hyundai i30 up 6 to #19, the VW Tiguan up 10 to #20, the Dacia Duster up 24 to #25, the Audi Q3 up 3 to #30, the Opel Zafira Tourer breaking into the monthly Top 50 for the first time, up 28 ranks to #46 and the Dacia Lodgy up 33 to #55.

Seat Toledo

Even further down, the Toyota GT86 is up 23 spots to #167 with 28 units sold, the Peugeot 4008 breaks into the Top 200 for the first time at #180 with 22 sales and the Seat Toledo ranks #200 with 14 units. We welcome two newcomers this month in the Spanish models ranking: the Tata Aria lands at #185 with 20 units and the Fiat 500 L sells its first 6 units in the country.

Previous month: Spain July 2012: Nissan Qashqai leads in worst July in history

One year ago: Spain August 2011: Ford Focus edges past Seat Leon

Full August 2012 Top 200 Ranking Table below.