Germany Private Sales Full Year 2014: Mercedes C-Class up to #4

Mercedes C-Class

* See the Top 100 best-selling models by clicking on the title *

As an appetiser for overall German new car registrations, I give you German Private Sales data for 2014. Germany characterises itself by an exceptionally low Private Sales (PS) ratio: 36.2% this year, and the situation is getting worse as this is almost two percentage points below the 2013 level (37.9%). This is to be compared with France where the 2014 PS ratio of 52.2% is the lowest ever there. As a result, even as the overall German market gains 3% year-on-year, Private Sales are actually down in volume as well at -2% to 1,099,312 units. Before we go into the sales charts in detail, a methodology note: are counted as Private Sales the cars sold to private buyers. Demo cars, rental cars and long-term leases are not counted as private – this is pretty standard across the industry.

The Dacia Sandero achieves the highest PS ratio in the Top 100 (89.9%).

Volkswagen monopolises the podium with the Golf the most popular nameplate with private buyers once again at 73,708 sales above the VW Polo (36,844) and Tiguan (32,212) in the same order as last year. The Mercedes C-Class jumps 6 spots to land in 4th place with a PS of 37.6% – above the national average. The BMW 1 Series (PS: 44.5%) is up two ranks to #5, whereas the Mercedes B-Class (60.9%), Skoda Fabia (53.7%) and Mercedes A-Class (55.7%) all lose ground. Further down, notice the Dacia Sandero (89.9%) up to #13, the Seat Leon (37.6%) up to #15, Opel Mokka (52.8%) up to #19, Nissan Qashqai up to #22 and the Dacia Duster (84.3%) up to #23.

Previous month: Germany Private Sales November 2014: Opel Mokka shines

One year ago: Germany Private Sales Full Year 2013: Mercedes A-Class up 67%

Two years ago: Germany Private Sales Full Year 2012: Toyota Yaris and VW Up shine

Full Year 2014 Top 100 models vs. Full 2013 figures below.