Netherlands August 2020: Kia (+24.8%), Peugeot (+7%), Renault (+20.2%), Volvo (+30%) defy market down -21.5%

The Kia Niro cements its YTD domination in the Netherlands.

After tilting into positive in July (+4%), the Dutch new car market is, like all European markets we have covered so far, back in hell in August at -21.5% year-on-year to 26.461 units. This leads to a year-to-date tally down -25.2% to 219.129 units. Kia (+24.8%) thoroughly bucks the negative context to soar to pole position with 9.3% share, scoring its third ever monthly win in the Netherlands – all in 2020: after last February and May. Kia also manages the largest year-on-year gain in the Top 8. Other Top 10 gainers are Volvo (+30%), Renault (+20.2%) and Peugeot (+7%). At the other end of the scale, Volkswagen (-58%), Opel (-53.1%) and Ford (-30.8%) are in deep trouble. Further down, Ferrari (+366.7%), Smart (+87.5%), DS (+48.8%), Fiat (+28.2%), Honda (+23.9%), Dacia (+17.5%), Mini (+12.8%) and Porsche (+9.2%) also progress, while newcomers MG (#20) and Polestar (#35) camp on their July ranking.

Over in the models aisle, the Kia Niro (+79.1%) manages a 4th win this year after February, April and May, cementing the pole position it holds year-to-date. The VW Polo (-40.9%) is knocked down to #2 with the Opel Corsa (+358.7%) rounding out the podium like last month. The Volvo XC40 (+201.1%) and Peugeot 208 (+153.9%) also post surreal year-on-year gains in the remainder of the Top 10, both helped by new green variants. The Toyota Corolla (+24.6%), Renault Clio (+18%), Kia Picanto (+17.1%) and Hyundai Kona (+0.9%) are also up in a very dynamic Top 10, only the Tesla Model 3 (-48.4%) falls apart yet surges 133 ranks on July to #6. The MG ZS advances 3 spots to remain the most popular recent launch at #13, well above the Kia Xceed (#72), BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe (#77) and Skoda Kamiq (#80).

Previous month: Netherlands July 2020: BMW (+70.5%), Renault (+46.7%) help tilt market back in positive (+4%)

One year ago: Netherlands August 2019: VW T-Cross up to world record #4 in market down -17.2%

Full August 2020 Top 45 All-brands and Top 305 All-models below.