Europe September 2017: Nissan Qashqai up to record #2 in market down 2.2%

The Nissan Qashqai leaps up to 2nd place overall in Europe: a record.

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New car sales in Europe are down 2.2% to 1.461.683 units in September, pulled into negative by a poor performance in the UK (-9.3%), accounting for 29.2% of the overall market vs. 17.2% year-to-date due to the license plate change, and in Germany (-3.3%), its two top markets. This despite positive results in France (+1.3%), Spain (+4.7%) and Italy (+7.1%). 11 of the 27 markets included in the study are down this month. The year-to-date total remains in positive however at +3.4% to 11.979.578 registrations. Volkswagen follows the market at -2.5% ahead of Renault (-1.6%) while Ford (-13.1%) and Opel/Vauhxall (-9.6%) are handicapped by their UK results. Mercedes gains 0.7% to rank 5th both this month and now also year-to-date, overtaking Peugeot, down 1.8% in September. Skoda (+4.3%), Nissan (+3.7%) and Toyota (+4.3%) are solid inside the Top 15, while below, Dacia (+8.7%), Seat (+9.9%), Suzuki (+19.4%), Alfa Romeo (+17.3%), Tesla (+46.1%), Abarth (+27.5%), Lada (+161%), Aston Martin (+32.9%), Chevrolet (+41.4%) and McLaren (+261.5%) all post very strong gains.

First double-digit year-on-year gain in over two years for the VW Golf in Europe.

In the models ranking, the VW Golf shows the impact of its facelift with a 10.4% year-on-year lift, its first double-digit gain in Europe since July 2015. But the big event this month is the 2nd place overall of the Nissan Qashqai, the nameplate’s best-ever European ranking. Tanks to a historical win in the UK and pole positions in Spain and Finland also, the Qashqai smashes its previous best European ranking, #5, hit in February/March 2013 and February/July 2017. This is the highest ranking ever hit by an SUV across Europe, the previous record was held by the VW Tiguan at #4 just last April. Overall SUV sales are up 14.1% in September to 462.000 units, lifting the YTD total up 3.47m units, up 18.8% on the same period in 2016. The Renault Clio (+3.1%) is knocked down to #3 but remains #2 year-to-date, the VW Tiguan is up a timid 1.9% while the Ford Focus is up 3.3% year-on-year and 20 spots on August to #6. The Peugeot 208 (-14%), Opel Corsa (-21.8%), VW Polo (-35.1%) and Ford Fiesta (-46.1%) all freefall. Strong performance of the Toyota Yaris remaining inside the European Top 10 for the third consecutive month (a first), as well as the Citroen C3 (+50.5%), Peugeot 3008 (+153.5%), BMW 5 Series (+54.9%), Mercedes GLC (+62%), BMW X1 (+55.4%), Fiat Tipo (+56.5%), Opel Insignia (+32.4%) and Nissan Micra (+34.1%).

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Previous month: Europe August 2017: Mercedes #2, Octavia on podium, Sandero in Top 5

One year ago: Europe September 2016: Mercedes overtakes Audi YTD to #1 premium

Full September 2017 Top 50 brands and models below.