Germany November 2013: VW Golf hits highest share in 4 years

The VW Golf grabs just under 10% of the German market this month.

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The German new car market is back into negative in November at -2% year-on-year to 254,651 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 2,737,111 sales, down 5% or 140,000 units on 2012. For the first time since last July, Volkswagen monopolises the models ranking podium, with each vehicle delivering very solid results: the Golf sells 25,233 units for a massive 9.9% market share, its strongest since March 2010! In fact the last time the Golf broke past the 10% share barrier was just one month before in February 2010 (10.1%). Keep in mind Golf figures include the Golf Plus and Jetta in Germany, however these two models account for a tiny portion of sales. The Polo is also under the spotlight: up two spots on October to #2 and 2.7%, its best ranking and share in Germany since last April. The Passat rounds up the podium with 2.5% of the market which is also its year-to-date level.

Audi A3 Limousine

With the “Limousine” sedan variant now spreading in Audi dealerships across the country, the Audi A3 delivers another bumper month: it is #4 with 6,239 sales and 2.5%. This is the 6th time since the nameplate was introduced back in 1996 that the A3 ever ranks inside the German Top 4, including 5 times in 2013: December 2010 (#4), April 2013 (#4), June 2013 (#4), August 2013 (#2), October 2013 (#3) and November 2013 (#4). Definitely a striking long-term upwards trend for Audi’s compact car, and it should continue this way as the Limousine version settles in.

Third consecutive month inside the German Top 10 for the Skoda Octavia.

Another model on an impressive curve up is the Skoda Octavia. Launched in 1996 also, the Octavia delivers a third consecutive month inside the German Top 10 at #8 with 5,244 sales and 2.1% share, after ranking #5 in September and #7 in October. What’s astounding in this stat is that before September, the Octavia only managed to break into the Top 10 twice in the last 17 years, both also achieved in the past year or so: September 2012 (#9) and March 2013 (#9)… As for the A3, the current generation has definitely lifted the Octavia to brand new heights in Germany, and in the whole of Western Europe by the same token.

The Seat Leon is up to an all-time high #20 this month.

Other noticeable moves include the Ford Fiesta up 10 spots on October to #6, the Seat Leon up 3 ranks to equal its highest ever ranking in Germany at #20 (also reached last August) – bear in mind Leon sales include Altea and Toledo figures, the Fiat 500 up 5 to #23 – including the 500L and the only ‘true’ foreign model inside the Top 30 this month if we consider Skoda and Seat as kind of German. The Hyundai i10 is up 15 spots to #34, the Renault Scenic up 13 to #38, Renault Captur up 5 to #60 (the Clio is #47), Peugeot 2008 up 10 to #61 (the 208 is #54), Toyota RAV4 up 47 to #72 and Dacia Logan up 10 to #78.

Ford Ecosport

As far as new launches are concerned, the BMW 4 Series is slowing gearing up: from #118 in October to #103 and 551 sales this month, the BMW 2 Series is up 110 spots to #166 at 162 units, the BMW i3 down 21 ranks to #181, Mercedes GLA down 3 to #201 but we’re still talking about demo models, the Maserati Ghibli ranks #254 with 16 sales and we welcome the Ford Ecosport in the ranking at #229 with 37 sales for now. Brand-wise, notice Volkswagen at 23.8% vs. 21.7% year-to-date, Skoda up 32%, Seat up 11% (+23% year-to-date!), Nissan up 17% and Mazda up 20%.

Previous month: Germany October 2013: Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia impress again

One year ago: Germany November 2012: Ford Fiesta and Audi Q5 impress

Full November 2013 Top 300 models and Top 50 brands Ranking Tables below.