Portugal November 2012: VW Golf 7 in pole position straight away!

VW Golf 7

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 40 all-brands ranking! *

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

After falling by 30% in September and 5% in October, the Portuguese new car market is down 25% year-on-year in November to 7,217 registrations. The year-to-date total now stands at 88,945 units, still down a horrid 37% on 2011. Detailed models rankings for Portugal are likely to become rarer now that car magazine Guia de Automóvel has stopped publishing, one of the consequences of the economic crisis that is still hitting the country.

Audi A3

For their last issue they have published a models ranking that thanks to José I am able to share with you here, and it has the particularity of splitting sales of Golf 6 and 7. Surprise: the Golf 7 directly shoots up to pole position for its first month with 281 units sold and 3.9% share! It is ahead of the Renault Megane, still leader year-to-date with 4,246 units and 4.8% (-46%), by just one unit… An oddity: the Peugeot 208, #1 in September, is not in the Top 20 this month!

Renault Clio IV

Another model to make its first appearance in the Portuguese Top 20 this month is the Renault Clio IV at #7 and 171 units, just below its older sister the Clio III at #6 and 175. What is true in Europe currently is especially the case in Portugal: in tough times, premium brands do better – at least with fleet sales. Audi and BMW both place 3 models in the Top 20 again this month: the Audi A3 is up to a fantastic 5th position with 228 sales, followed by the BMW 1 Series at #6 and 203 units, with the 3 Series at #10, A4 at #17, 5 Series at #19 and A1 at #20.

Brand-wise, Volkswagen is ahead in November at 11.8% share ahead of Renault at 10.2% and Peugeot at 9.1% but Renault remains in the top spot year-to-date with 9,510 sales and 10.7% (-38%) with Volkswagen at #2 with 9,137 units and 10.3% (-35%). This month only BMW (+3%), Mercedes (+9%), Skoda (+19%), Land Rover (+9%) and Lancia (+8%) gain ground year-on-year, while year-to-date absolutely no brand in the Top 20 is in positive, with Audi (-8%), BMW (-13%) and Mercedes (-19%) the best performers.

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

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One year ago: Portugal November 2011: VW Passat and Audi A4 shine

Full November Top 20 models and Top 40 brands Ranking Tables below.