Sweden Full Year 2014: Volvo V70 celebrates 18 years on top

Volvo V70

* See the Top 300 All-models and Top 36 All-brands by clicking on the title *

One year ago, BIL Sweden predicted the Swedish new car market would go up by a shy 2% to 274,000 registrations. The reality is much more satisfying with Full Year 2014 deliveries up a fantastic 13% to 303,866. Once again BIL Sweden are very conservative in their predictions for the following year and see the market down 5% to 290,000. 2014 is the 7th year new car sales in Sweden pass the 300,000 annual mark since records started in 1946, with the record remaining the 343,963 sales reached in 1988. The annual figure could have been even higher if the government had reacted a lot more swiftly this year: sales of so-called ‘super clean’ vehicles (with carbon dioxide emissions of 50 g/km or less) – partly subsidised by the government – reached 4,600 units,  a threefold increase on 2013 but allocated funds ran out in August with no information from politicians to award more money until the very last working day of the year. SEK 215 million (US$27m) have now been allocated with retroactive effect to the cars registered in 2014 that did not receive any premium.

Mitsubishi almost doubles its sales year-on-year in Sweden.

The Top 3 brands evolve like the market with local manufacturer Volvo in the lead once again with 20.2% share ahead of Volkswagen at 14.8% (both at +14% on 2013). Toyota is up 12% to climb on the podium with 6.4% share, kicking Audi (+8%) down to #4. BMW, Kia and Skoda keep their position while Mercedes is up 3 spots to #8 thanks to sales up a magnificent 25% on 2013 to 11,531 units. The biggest gainer this year in Sweden is… Saab. Hard to believe, however the ‘other’ Swedish manufacturer, thrown in all directions this year, had all but died in 2013 (14 sales) and is up 1786% to a still extremely discreet 264 units. Mitsubishi also takes off this year with sales up 95% partly thanks to the success of the Outlander hybrid, as does Dacia (+114%), finally gelling with Swedish consumers. Other great gainers include Jeep (+99%), Porsche (+48%), Lexus (+43%) and Mazda (+27%).

First annual Top 5 ranking at home for the Volvo XC60.

Thanks to a facelift at the end of 2013, the Volvo V70 celebrates 18 consecutive years atop the Swedish models sales charts and even sees its market share improve to 7.8% thanks to sales up 16% to 23,624. Outstanding performance of the VW Golf lifted up 50% on 2013 by the new generation to 2nd place overall with 5.5% share while the Volvo S/V60 remains #3 and the VW Passat drops two spots to #4. The Volvo XC60 surfs on the SUV trend, up 37% to pass the Volvo V40 into 5th place, the first time the XC60 breaks into the annual Top 5 at home.

The Dacia Duster is up 155% on 2013.

Outstanding performers inside the 2014 Swedish Top 100 also include the Mitsubishi Outlander up 205% to #23, the Renault Captur up 174% to #29, the Dacia Duster up 155% to #31 (Dacia seems to finally have gelled with Swedish consumers), the Seat Leon up 118% to #35, Mazda3 up 276% to #47, Skoda Rapid up 190% to #52, Fiat Freemont up 86% to #56, Hyundai i10 up 241% to #70, BMW 4 Series up 738% to #73, Citroen C4 Picasso up 305% to #77 and the Dacia Logan up 827% to #99. The Mercedes GLA leads the all-new nameplates at #104 ahead of the Citroen C4 Cactus at #107, BMW 2 Series at #111 and BMW X4 at #118.

Previous month: Sweden November 2014: Dacia Duster breaks into Top 20

Previous year: Sweden Full Year 2013: Volvo V40 lands at #5 – lukewarm

Two years ago: Sweden Full Year 2012: Volvo V70 #1, VW Passat at best-ever

Full December 2014 Top 60 models and Top 34 All-brands rankings below.

Full Year 2014 Top 300 All-models and Top 36 All-brands rankings vs. Full Year 2013 below.