Netherlands August 2016: First ever country win for Opel Karl

The Opel Karl is the best-selling vehicle in the Netherlands in August. 

* See the Top 40 best-selling brands and Top 257 All-models by clicking on the title *

After dropping 8% in July, the Dutch new car market falls deeper into negative territory in August at -12% to 27.110 registrations, leading to a year-to-date tally down 5% to 252.094. Ignoring the surrounding gloom, Opel surges 76% to the brands pole position with 2.928 sales and 10.8% share, distancing Volkswagen (-26%), Renault (-42%), Peugeot (-17%) and Ford (-13%). Kia (+21%), BMW (+4%) and Mini (+45%) are the only other manufacturers posting year-on-year gains inside the Top 20. Mazda (-27%), Citroen (-32%), Volvo (-34%), Lexus (-41%)), Mitsubishi (-53%) and DS (-62%) are among the hardest hit.

The Tesla Model X has landed in the Netherlands. 

The best-selling nameplate in the Netherlands in August is as surprising as it is implacable: illustrating this country’s taste for mini vehicles, the Opel Karl stuns the automotive world and signs its very first pole position in the world with 1.057 deliveries for a 3.9% share, leaving the #2 – competitor Kia Picanto – 132 units below at 925 sales and 3.4%. The Opel Astra rounds up a never-seen before podium, ahead of the Peugeot 108 (+6), Ford Fiesta (+4) and Renault Clio (-2). The best-selling VW is the Up at a party #9 followed by the Polo at #11 and the Golf at #12 whereas the three nameplates monopolised the podium last month. We welcome the Tesla Model X (#147) and Volvo V90 (#191) in the Dutch charts.

Previous month: Netherlands July 2016: VW Polo, Golf and Up on podium

One year ago: Netherlands August 2015: Renault Clio soars to year-to-date top spot

Full August 2016 Top 40 brands and Top 257 All-models below.