Netherlands August 2013: Renault Clio #1, Chevrolet Volt takes off

Renault Clio Estate

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The Dutch new car market is down 13% year-on-year in August to 28,623 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 270,095 units, down 32% on 2012. After ranking #3 in June and #2 in July, the Renault Clio “logically” takes the lead of Dutch sales charts in August thanks to 1,241 units sold and 4.3% share, almost one percentage point above all other models in market and mainly thanks to the success of its station wagon version. It now ranks #5 year-to-date vs. #29 in 2012 and, with the Megane (#6 in August and #4 year-to-date), enables Renault to tease Volkswgaen for the #1 brand spot in the country at 10.6% share this month vs. 11.1%. The German manufacturer places the Golf at #3 with 974 sales and 3.4% and the Up! #4 at 939 units and 3.3% but still leader year-to-date by far with 10,932 sales and 4%. The Peugeot 107 is up 7 ranks on July to land at an excellent 2nd spot at 983 units and 3.4%.

Chevrolet Volt

Surprise leader last month, the Volvo V40 is down to a still very impressive 5th place with 836 sales and 2.9% and is now #9 year-to-date vs. #56 in 2012. Toyota is in shape: the Aygo is up 13 spots to #9 and the Auris up one to #10 vs. #17 year-to-date and #44 in 2012. Over the last couple of years the Dutch models ranking has been shaped by changing price incentives offered to eco-friendly cars and this month the big beneficiaries of these variable laws is the Chevrolet Volt: while it had never lodged a month above 60 sales in its year-long career, it manages to sell a huge 477 units in August, catapulting it inside the Top 20 at #18! Let’s see if this lasts more than an odd month…

Renault Captur

Further down, notice the Renault Captur up a further 7 spots to also break into the Dutch Top 20 for the first time at #19, the Opel Zafira up 22 to #21, Peugeot 2008 stable at #32, Dacia Sandero up 22 to #40, Mercedes E-Class up 13 to #43, Kia Carens up 32 to #50, BMW 3 Series GT up 23 to #61 and the Nissan Leaf up 39 ranks to #105.

Previous month: Netherlands July 2013: Volvo V40 tops a country’s ranking for the first time!

One year ago: Netherlands August 2012: Toyota Prius+ up to world best #5

Full August 2013 Top 150 models and Top 50 All-brands Ranking Tables below.