Sweden October 2016: VW Golf takes root in pole position

VW Golf Alltrack. Picture mullersvarld.se 

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 247 All-models by clicking on the title *

Despite one less selling day, new car sales in Sweden are up 0.9% year-on-year to 31.840 sales, the highest ever October score, leading to a year-to-date tally up 8% to 303.236 units, on track to beat an all-time record in 2016. Homegrown Volvo remains the most popular brand in Sweden despite sales down 3% to 6.723 with a strong 21.1% share vs. 18.7% year-to-date. In 2nd place, Volkswagen beats the market at +9% to 15.7% share, ahead of Audi (+4%), Kia (+8%), Toyota (-5%) and BMW (-9%). Mercedes (+25%), Renault (+27%), Opel (+44%) and Seat (+64%) post the largest year-on-year gains inside the Top 20 while further down Jaguar (+260%), Ssangyong (+167%) and Alfa Romeo (+113%) shine. Lexus (-27%), Mitsubishi (-28%) and Hyundai (-41%) struggle.

In the models ranking, the momentous transition from a Volvo leadership towards the VW Golf continues: the Golf signs a fourth consecutive month in the Swedish pole position, and this despite sales freefalling 19% to 2.050 and 6.4% share. The Volvo XC60 surges 42% to 2nd place ahead of the Volvo S/V60 up 16% to #3 and the VW Passat up 24% to #4. Adding up V70, S90 and V90 sales isn’t enough to stay at #1: the nameplates add up to just 1.428 sales, down 51% year-on-year, but remain in the lead for now at 19.134 (-13%) vs. 17.671 (-5%) for the Golf.  The Volvo V40 (+55%), VW Polo (+185%) and Audi A6 (+20%) also post spectacular gains in the Top 20. Below, the Mercedes E-Class (+103%), Opel Astra (+71%) and Kia Optima (+489%) shine with the Audi Q2 making its very first appearance at #203.

Previous month: Sweden September 2016: VW Golf best-seller for third month in a row

One year ago: Sweden October 2015: Volvo XC90 back inside Top 30

Full October 2016 Top 45 All-brands and Top 247 All-models below.