Portugal September 2012: Peugeot 208 #1, BMW 1 Series up to #4

BMW 1 Series

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

It’s still a very dark outlook for new car sales in Portugal, down 30% year-on-year in September to 6,358 registrations and down 40% year-to-date to 74,461 units. The Peugeot 208 is the most popular model in the country for the second month running with 298 sales and 4.7% share, making Portugal one of only 2 countries in the world where the 208 is #1 with France. It passes the Fiat Punto to now rank at a brilliant 4th place year-to-date at 2,312 units. The Renault Megane ranks #2 this month with 289 sales and 4.5% but stays #1 year-to-date at 3,702 units and 5% while the VW Polo rounds up the podium both this month at 3.7% share and year-to-date at 4.1%.

Audi A1

Premium brands are the only ones not affected by the recession that is hitting Portugal full frontal: the BMW 1 Series is up to an astounding 4th place thanks to 190 units sold for a 3% market share and is now #8 year-to-date, the BMW 3 Series is up to #10 with 125 sales and 2% and the BMW 5 Series is #12 at 97 units and 1.5%, making it 3 BMWs in the Portuguese Top 12 for the first time ever. For its part Audi places 3 models in the Top 16: the A3 is up 6 spots on August to #11, the A1 is up one to #13 and the A4 is up two to #16.

Previous month: Portugal August 2012: Peugeot 208 on top, 3 Audis in Top 20

One year ago: Portugal September 2011: Renault Megane leads, Mercedes C-Class excels

Full September 2012 Top 20 Ranking Table below.