Switzerland Full Year 2016: VW Golf snatches last minute 23rd win

The VW Golf manages a 23rd consecutive annual win Switzerland.

* See the Top 55 All-brands and Top 450 All-models by clicking on the title *

Consult 45 years worth of Swiss Historical Data here

The Swiss new car market is one of the rare in Europe to lose ground year-on-year in 2016 at -2% to 317.318 units. Volkswagen remains master in command and even improves its market share to 13.3% thanks to deliveries down just 0.2%. BMW (+3%) and Mercedes (+4%) also see their share increase, remaining in 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Skoda (+0.4%) overtakes Audi to take 4th spot while Renault (-4%), Opel (-4%), Ford (-5%) and Peugeot (-17%) holding onto their 2015 ranking. Toyota gains 5% and 4 spots to break into the annual Swiss Top 10 at #10. Mazda (+2%), Dacia (+38%) and Kia (+9%) are the only other brands in positive inside the Top 20. Below, notice Ssangyong (+20%), Alfa Romeo (+21%), Bentley (+40%), Honda (+43%), Rolls-Royce (+48%), Cadillac (+70%), Jaguar (+83%) and Infiniti (+173%) taking off. Tesla gains a more modest 9% to remain among Switzerland’s favourite 30 carmakers.

The Skoda Octavia topped the Swiss YTD charts all the way until November. 

The models ranking is the theatre of a last minute twist: after the Skoda Octavia led the year-to-date charts all year up to end-November, a pumped up December by Volkswagen (up 23% to 17.3% share) allows the VW Golf to remain in the annual pole position for the 23rd consecutive year. Golf vs. Octavia numbers for December: 1.861 vs. 1.155, meaning the Golf is up by an out-of-character 163% just as the Polo gains 268% and the Tiguan 1084%. This is the Golf’s highest monthly tally since December 2013 and points towards particularly aggressive discounts or anticipated fleet deliveries to save its title. Final 2016 tallies are 11.988 for the Golf (-22%) vs 11.721 for the Octavia (-4%). The VW Polo (-10%) completes a podium unchanged on 2015 while the VW Tiguan is boosted up 63% and 5 spots to #4 by the new model – it even ranked #1 in November – making the Top Four 100% Volkswagen Group.

The VW Tiguan is up 63% to #4 and ranked #1 in November.

With only four nameplates managing a market share of at least 2% (vs. three in 2015), the Swiss car market remains the most fragmented in the world. The Mercedes C-Class continues its ascension to the top with deliveries up 6% to #5 ahead of the BMW 2 Series (+12%), VW Touran (+64%) and Audi A3 (-29%). The Skoda Fabia (+7%), VW Passat (-17%) and Seat Leon (-25%) make it an incredible 9 VAG models in the Top 11. Further down the charts, notice the BMW X1 surging 124% to #12, the VW T6 up 239% to #14, the Hyundai Tucson up 129% to #20, the Mercedes GLC up 274% to #22 and the Dacia Sandero up 54% to #30. The Seat Ateca is the most popular all-new entrant at #112 followed by the Jaguar F-Pace at #119, the Fiat Tipo at #129 and the Renault Talisman at #137.

Previous month: Switzerland November 2016: VW Tiguan takes control

Previous year: Switzerland Full Year 2015: VAG Group dominant, Mercedes up to #3

Two years ago: Switzerland Full Year 2014: VW Golf and Skoda Octavia ultra dominant

Full Year 2016 Top 55 All-brands and Top 450 All-models vs. Full Year 2015 figures below.

Full December 2016 Top 50 All-brands and Top 350 All-models below.