Switzerland Full Year 2014: Golf and Octavia ultra dominant

The only two nameplates above 2% share in Switzerland: VW Golf & Skoda Octavia.

* See the Top 35 best-selling brands and Top 435 All-models by clicking on the title *

Back in 2012 when the whole of Europe was in recession, Switzerland was one of only a handful of market to gain ground year-on-year, even reaching its 2nd best-ever annual score below 1989. Since then, just as Europe slowly turned the corner, Swiss new car sales haven’t stopped skidding: down 6% in 2013 and down another 2% in 2014 to 301,942 registrations. No surprises atop the brands ranking: Volkswagen holds onto the lead with 13.3% share, but BMW (+4%) passes Audi (-1%) to rank #2 overall with 21,144 sales and 7%. This despite an extravagant month of December by Audi, placing no less than 5 models inside the Top 11: the A3 (#6), A1 (#7), Q5 (#9), Q3 (#10) and A4 (#11). The VAG Group placed 11 models in the Top 12 that month. Meanwhile Skoda (+9%) and Mercedes (+10%) keep their positions despite frank progressions, Kia is up 23%, Porsche up 26%, Lexus up 30%, Jeep up 56% and Maserati up 285%.

The Audi A3 is up 18% to 4th place in Switzerland this year.

For the first time on BSCB I give you the complete Top 435 All-models ranking for 2014.

The VW Golf is the most popular nameplate in Swizerland for the 21st straight year, even improving its market share to 4.8% thanks to the 7th generation now in full flight: up 7% to 14,366 sales, its highest annual volume in 13 years – since 2001 when it sold 16,704 units. The Skoda Octavia, also helped by the new model, does even better at +8% to 10,847 units and 3.6% but never dislodged the Golf in any monthly ranking this year. Switzerland confirms it is most fragmented car market in the world, with all other nameplates below 2% market share…

Seat Leon sales are up 47% in Switzerland this year.

The VW Polo completes a podium unchanged on 2013, and with the Audi A3 up two spots to #4 and the VW Tiguan staying at #5, the VAG Group monopolises the Top 5 in 2014, knocking the BMW 3 Series down to #6. At #7, the Seat Leon wins the ‘most improved’ title in the Top 30 with sales up a fantastic 47% to 4,002. Notice also the Fiat 500 up 14 spots to #12, Ford Kuga up 9 to #13, Suzuki Swift up 11 to #14, Hyundai i20 up 17 to #15, Audi Q5 up 22 to #22 and the Peugeot 308 up 29 to #32.

Switzerland is the first country where the Mercedes GLA ranked inside the monthly Top 10.

The Mercedes GLA is by far the best-selling all-new model of 2014 in Switzerland, even breaking into its first monthly Top 10 in the world in August, September and November. The Porsche Macan manages to instantly become the brand’s best-seller in the country at #88 with 1,216 sales, with the BMW 2 Series (#106), Citroen C4 Cactus (#120), Ford Connect (#125), BMW X4 (#133) and Peugeot 108 (#135) also successful. It’s worth also mentioning the brilliant first full year of the BMW 4 Series directly inside the Swiss Top 50 at #50 with 2,063 units.

3 Mercedes AMG GT S found a buyer in Switzerland in 2014.

Wealthy country means super cars galore towards the bottom of the ranking: the BMW i8 lands directly at #286 with 64 units sold, the Mercedes SLS AMG is up 5% to 55 sales, the Rolls-Royce Wraith secured 34 customers, 31 Ferrari LaFerrari found a buyer, 25 Lamborghini Hurácan, 22 McLaren 650S, 15 Porsche 918, 10 Maserati GT MC Stradale and 3 Mercedes AMG GTS.

Previous month: Switzerland November 2014: Mercedes GLA back in Top 10

One year ago: Switzerland Full Year 2013: VW Golf celebrates 20 years at #1

Two years ago: Switzerland Full Year 2012: Subaru XV and Skoda Octavia impress

Full Year 2014 Top 35 brands and Top 435 All-models vs. Full 2013 figures below.

Full December 2014 Top 35 brands and Top 100 models below.