World March 2013 Roundup: Don’t take this the wrong way, but…

The Nissan Qashqai strikes again…

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As promised yesterday it’s a fast turnaround to give you the World March roundup. In February the Nissan Qashqai was the worldwide star of the month, and in March, well don’t take this the wrong way but…

Alright so France is under the spotlight this month, not so much for the market’s performance, struggling as much as the rest of Europe, but for two historical events: in the Light Commercial Vehicle ranking, not usually the subject of much talk in my monthly roundups, an import takes the lead for the first time ever: the Fiat Ducato is #1 with 2,777 sales and 8.4% share. In the Passenger Cars ranking, the Nissan Qashqai (well well…) is only the 2nd Japanese model to manage to ever crack the monthly French Top 10 at #9 with 3,381 sales and 2% share. The only other one is the Toyota Yaris which did so in January and March 2007.

Fiat Ducato

So yes, the Qashqai is once again the star of the month, and is actually even more impressive in March than it was in February. It takes the lead year-to-date in Spain, breaks its ranking, volume and share records in Italy at #6 with 4,142 sales and 3.1%, climbs onto the podium in Austria for the very first time and lodges a 2nd consecutive month at a record #5 in the overall European models ranking with a massive 29,116 sales. Told you.

Fiat 500L

The third hero of the month is Italian, making it 2 in 3. For the first time, the Fiat 500L outsells its ‘inspiration’ the Fiat 500 at home in Italy, ranking at an outstanding 4th place. Finally the last big event worldwide happened in Australia. For the first time in the history of automobile there, the Top 4 manufacturers are 100% Asian this month (Toyota-Mazda-Nissan-Hyundai), with local manufacturer Holden relegated to 5th place and passed by Hyundai for the first time. It would be like Renault ranking 5th in France below Volkswagen, Nissan, Toyota and Ford…

Previous World roundups:

World February 2013 Roundup: Nissan Qashqai pumps up the jam

World January 2013 Roundup: Low-cost range brings Renault back

World Full Year 2012 Roundup: Last Year’s Top 5 highlights

World December 2012 Roundup: Has the Chinese invasion started?

World November 2012 Roundup: When Hyundai cracked Brazil

World October 2012 Roundup: China, Japan and Austria in focus

World September 2012 Roundup: Ford Focus shines in China

World August 2012 Roundup: Subaru XV topples almighty Golf in Switzerland

World July 2012 Roundup: Geely CK writes history in Ukraine

World June 2012 Roundup: Hyundai Santa Fe and Ford Focus shine

World May 2012 Roundup: GM and Toyota Etios make headlines

World April 2012 Roundup: Maruti Swift and Mazda CX-5 impress

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