UK August 2017: Golf #1, Mokka X and Kuga break records

First UK podium for the Vauxhall Mokka X. 

* See the Top 40 best-selling brands and Top 10 models by clicking on the title *

UK new car sales are down year-on-year for the fifth consecutive month in August at -6.4% to 76.433 units, yet this is the third highest result for the month in the past decade below August 2016 (81.640) and 2015 (79.060). The year-to-date tally is down a moderate 2.4% to 1.640.241 sales. In August, private sales are down 9.9% to 33.597 and 44% share vs. 45.7% a year ago while fleet sales are down 3.2% to 41.899 and 54.8% share vs. 53% in August 2016. Year-to-date also the market is pulled by fleet: private sales are down 53% to 718.934 and 43.8% vs. 45.2% in 2016 while fleet sales are down just 0.03% to 859.713 and 52.4% share vs. 51.2% over the same period a year ago.

The VW Golf is #1 in the UK for the second time in the past three months. 

In the brands ranking, Ford tumbles down 21% year-on-year to 12.1% share while Volkswagen enjoys a fourth consecutive month in 2nd place thanks to sales surging 22% to 9.1% share. Vauxhall (-22%) is back up two spots on July to #3 but now only has a 1.649-sales advantage over VW year-to-date. Audi is up 2% to 8.2% share in 4th place, well above its YTD level of 6.6%. Kia is down 20% but remains at #8, Skoda (+9%) stays in 9th place vs. #12 year-to-date while Toyota soars 25% at #10. Below, Mitsubishi (+19%), Seat (+23%) and Suzuki (+27%) impress whereas Peugeot (-18%), Citroen (-21%), Jaguar (-22%), Renault (-25%), Fiat (-25%), DS (-38%) and Jeep (-58%) all struggle.

The Ford Kuga hits a record 6th place this month.

Model-wise, the VW Golf, up a spectacular 23% year-on-year, returns to pole position for the second time in the past three months and the the third time ever after February 2011. It distances the Ford Fiesta (-51%) by just 43 units. The Vauxhall Mokka X spectacularly signs its first Top 10 ranking and the first for the Mokka nameplate since August 2016. It also smashes the previous Mokka ranking record by landing on the podium for the first time at #3 (previous best: #5 in November 2015). The Ford Kuga is the second nameplate to smash its ranking record this month: up to #6 vs. a previous best of #9 hit last March and in August 2016. It’s only the fourth time we see the Kuga in the UK Top 10 (add August 2015 at #10)

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Previous month: UK July 2017: Ford Focus and VW Golf on top, market down 9.3%

One year ago: UK August 2016: Audi outsells Volkswagen for the first time

Full August 2017 Top 40 brands and Top 10 models below.