Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

2013 Volvo V70

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

For the first time this year, new car sales in Sweden are up year-on-year in April at +4% to 24,175 registrations, however the year-to-date total is still down by a significant amount at -12% to 80,249 units. The models ranking is very stable and relatively uneventful this month, with the Top 3 unchanged on March: the Volvo V70 at 7.4% followed by the Volvo S/V60 at 5.9% and the VW Passat at 5.4%. The VW Golf is up one spot to #4 while the Volvo V40 stops its progression to fall back down to #6 and 3% share vs. 4.5% last month.

The BMW 3 Series is up 5 ranks to #7 and is now #8 year-to-date as in 2012, the Skoda Fabia is up 9 to #9, the Fiat Ducato up 11 to #11, most probably the result of large order of motorhomes in anticipation of Summer, like it happened last month in Germany. Further down, the Toyota RAV4 is up 8 ranks to #34, the Subaru Forester remains solid at #37 vs. #81 in 2012 and the Hyundai Santa Fe appears in the Top 50 at #43 vs. #93 in 2012 thanks to the new generation.

Previous month: Sweden March 2013: Volvo V40 now in the race

One year ago: Sweden April 2012: Peugeot 508 in Top 10 for the first time

Full April 2013 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

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Volvo V40

* See the Top 60 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

2013 is shaping up to be a pretty average year for new car sales in Sweden, as it is the case in most of Europe: March is down 21% year-on-year to 22,493 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 56,074 units, down 18% on 2012. The March podium is relatively expected: the Volvo V70 leads the way with 1,482 sales and 6.6%, followed by the Volvo S/V60 at 1,275 units and 5.7% and the VW Passat with 1,263 sales and 5.6%. It’s the 4th place that generates the most interest: after a shaky start at home, the Volvo V40 now seems to be on a winning streak, steadily increasing its market share from 2% in December, 3.4% in January, 4.2% in February and a record 4.5% this month, breaking the symbolic 1,000 monthly unit-barrier for the first time at 1,005.

Now that it has gained some real traction, can the V40 go further and threaten the V70 for the pole position? It will be a long shot, simply because the Swedish consumer is in love with large station wagons: on top of the V70 which has topped the sales charts for the last 16 consecutive years, the V60 outsells the S60 10 to 1 and the Passat is sold mostly in its SW version in the country. The V40 is a compact car that plays in the VW Golf ‘s sandpit and has won against the German best-seller for the last 3 months running, but flirting with the top will be a real challenge. After all, the last compact car to hold the pole position in Sweden was… the Volvo Amazon in 1967!

There are a lot of other models performing extremely well in Sweden this month: the Toyota Avensis is up 24 spots to #7, the Nissan Qashqai up 9 to #9, Skoda Octavia up 2 to $12, Fiat Ducato up to #22, Kia Rio up to #23, Mercedes A-Class at #27, Honda Civic at #31, Subaru Forester at #33, Seat Ibiza at #37. The Opel Mokka points its bonnet in 52nd place, the Mazda CX-5 is up to #55 vs. 114 over the Full Year 2012 and the Mazda6 is up to #60 vs. #122 thanks to the new generation.

Previous month: Sweden February 2013: Volvo V40 up to best-ever #4

One year ago: Sweden March 2012: Volvo V70, V60 and VW Passat sovereign

Full March 2013 Top 60 models Ranking Table below.

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Volvo V40

* See the Top 50 best-selling models and Top 34 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

Full month data for February is starting to trickle in and as usual Sweden is the first cab off the rank. The market is still down a worrying 14% year-on-year to 17,860 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 33,581 units, down 15% on 2012. If last month Volvo managed to place 4 models in the Top 5 for the first time in potentially 14 years, in February it is close enough, with 4 in the Top 6. The Volvo V70 is in the lead once again with 1,371 sales and 7.7%, the S/V60 is still #3 at 969 units and 5.4%, the V40 beats its ranking and market share records at #4 with 751 sales and 4.2%. Finally the XC60 is down one spot to #6.

Peugeot 308

The VW Passat remains the only non-Volvo in the Top 4, ranking #2 again at an excellent 1,079 units and 6%. The Kia Cee’d is back up 7 ranks to #7, the Renault Megane up 4 to #8, Peugeot 308 up a massive 38 to #9 vs. #28 over the Full Year 2012 and the BMW 5 Series brilliantly maintains itself within the Swedish Top 10 at #10 with 348 sales and 1.9%. Notice also the Mercedes A-Class up to #28 vs. #76 in 2012, Audi Q5 up to #33 vs. #54 and Honda Civic up to #39 vs. #67.

Previous month: Sweden January 2013: 4 Volvos in Top 5!

One year ago: Sweden February 2012: VW Passat up to 8.3% share!

Full February 2013 Top 50 models and Top 34 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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Volvo V40

NOW UPDATED with the Top 33 All-brands and Top 50 models! Click on title to see *

The first full month data for January 2013 is now available, and the year is starting on the wrong foot in Sweden, with new car registrations down 16% year-on-year in January to 15,721 units. However it’s a fantastic start of 2013 for Volvo: for the first time in possibly 14 years (since the Volvo 850, S70, V70, S40 and V40 dominated), there are no less than 4 Volvos in the Top 5! The Volvo V70 is unsurprisingly in the lead with 1,294 sales and 8.4% while the S/V60 ranks #3 at 874 units and 5.6%.

Remember the 1998 Volvo S70? That’s the last time there were that many Volvos atop the Swedish ranking…

The Volvo XC60 hits its highest ever ranking at home at #4 with 551 sales and 3.5%, also its highest ever market share in the country. Finally, the Volvo V40 is back up 4 spots to #5, the highest ranking so far for this generation (also reached last October). Other great performers this month include the Renault Clio up 28 spots on December to #7, the Toyota Auris up 20 to #13, Subaru Legacy up 28 to #18, Skoda Yeti up 40 to #24, Toyota Prius up 8 to #30, Mercedes A-Class up to #33 vs. #76 in FY2012, Mitsubishi Outlander up to #41 vs. #79, Hyundai Santa Fe up to #43 vs. #93 and the Mazda CX-5 breaking into the Swedish Top 50 for the first time at #48.

Full January 2013 Top 50 models and Top 33 All-brands Ranking Tables below.

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The Saab 96 was #2 in Sweden from 1966 to 1970

* See the links to 33 Historical Data posts by clicking on the title! *

Thanks to Nils from Auto Motor & Sport Sweden, there is now a Swedish models ranking on BestSellingCarsBlog without interruption since 1987! Thanks also to Rene, Torbjörn and STAC, I can share with you Swedish historical data from 1950 onwards! There is now a full Top 50 ranking for 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1996. 

The VW Beetle dominated the ranking during the fifties but was challenged by the Volvo PV444/544. The Volvo Amazon then took the lead from 1965 to 1967 before passing the relay to the Volvo 140 Series, best-seller in Sweden for 7 years from 1968 to 1974.

The Volvo Amazon was #1 in Sweden from 1965 to 1967

Then we witnessed the decade-long reign of the Volvo 200 from 1975 to 1984 , peaking at 21.6% share in 1981 and then passing the relay to the Volvo 700 in 1985 when it reached its best share at 14%. The Volvo 900 then took the lead in 1991 before being passed by the Volvo 850 in 1993 on its way to 14.4% share in 1995.

The Volvo 900 was the Swedish best-seller in 1991 and 1992

Since 1997 and without interruption the Volvo V70 has been the best-selling model in Sweden, that’s 16 consecutive years and the longest reign of any model in the country.

The Saab 9-3 was #2 in Sweden in 2007 and 2008.

Meanwhile it is interesting to notice that although extremely successful, Saab never managed to place a model in pole position in its native country. The Saab 96 ranked #2 during the second half of the sixties and in 1970. The Saab 900, launched in 1978, finished on the podium most years up to 1994, peaking at 10.3% share in 1981, while the Saab 9000 was a regular favourite in the nineties, ranking #2 from 1990 to 1992. Finally, the Saab 9-5 was #2 from 2000 to 2004 and in 2006 whereas the Saab 9-3 was #2 in 2007 and 2008, before the brand disappeared in 2011.

Click on ‘Read more’ below for the direct links to these 33 articles.

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VW Passat

* See the Top 100 best-selling models and Top 30 brands by clicking on the title! *

Difficult year for new car sales in Sweden, down 8% on 2011 to 279,478 registrations, the lowest result in 3 years. The Volvo V70 is the most popular model in the country for the 16th year running with 21,822 sales and 7.8% share, down 2% but up from 7.3% last year. The VW Passat improves on an already record year in 2011 to deliver its best performance ever in Sweden, up 1% to 16,263 units and 5.8%, peaking at a huge 8.3% share in February. Volvo S60 and V60 sales are now counted together and rank #3 this year with 14,301 sales and 5.1%, down 10% but hitting a best-ever 8.4% in December.

Kia Cee’d

The VW Golf is down 11% but stays #4 while the Kia Cee’d is up 3% and one spot to #5 at 7,018 units and 2.5%, as is the Volvo XC60 at #6 and 2.3%. The following 3 models are the best performers in the Top 10: the Ford Focus is up 5% and 4 ranks to #7, the BMW 3 Series up 7 and 14% to #8 and the Toyota Yaris is up 12 spots and 32% to #9.

Mercedes GLK

Further down, other great performers include the Peugeot 508 up 66% and 16 ranks to #24, the Hyundai i40 up 108% and splitting its ranking in two at #37, the Kia Rio up 303% and 66 spots to #38, Toyota Prius up 47% and 28 ranks to #48 and the Mercedes GLK up 35% and 26 to #53.

Volvo V40

There are 5 all-new models in the Swedish Top 100 this year, the best-performing being the Volvo V40 landing directly at #25 with 3,296 sales and 1.2%. However the V40 seems to have shown its limits already (down to #9 and 2% in December) and may struggle to reach the Top 10 over the Full Year 2013… The Peugeot 208 arrives at #41, the Subaru XV at #64, the VW Up! at #78 and the VW CC at #90. Finally, notice the Saab 9-3 down 79% to #98 and the Saab 9-5 down 84% to #175.

December post: Sweden December 2012: Volvo S/V60 at highest share ever

Previous year: Sweden Full Year 2011: Volvo V70 leads for the 15th consecutive year

Full Year 2012 Top 100 models and Top 30 brands Ranking Tables below.

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Volvo V60

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

* You can see the Full Year 2012 Swedish post here *

Yes this is it! Final 2012 sales figures have now started to trickle down and this year you are in for an extra treat! On top of the traditional monthly articles I will also create a Full Year 2012 post for most countries updated monthly on BSCB. Sweden is the first cab off the rank, with new car sales encouragingly up 5% year-on-year in December to 26,687 registrations. Volvo has an outstanding month: the V70 sells 2,558 units for a 9.6% market share, its strongest since December 2010, while the S/V60 ranks #2 with 2,244 sales and 8.4%, the nameplate’s highest share ever, beating the 6.9% the V60 hit in November 2011.

Hyundai i20

The Ford Focus also shines, up 3 spots on November to #5 at 907 units and 3.4%. A disappointing showing for the Volvo V40 however, down 2 ranks and one full percentage point on last month to #9 with 532 sales and 2%. Within the Top 20, great performers also include the Toyota Avensis up 12 spots to #14, the Peugeot 508 up 2 to #16, Hyundai i20 up 18 to #36 and the Opel Astra is up 16 to #19.

Hyundai i40

Further down, notice the Hyundai i40 up 29 ranks to #23 and 4 models reappearing in the Top 50 this month: the Chevrolet Cruze at #26, the Mercedes A-Class at #34, Hyundai Santa Fe at #43 and the Mitsubishi Outlander at #48.

Full Year 2012: Sweden Full Year 2012: Volvo V70 #1, VW Passat at best ever

Previous month: Sweden November 2012: Kia Cee’d up to #5, Volvo V40 down to #7

Previous year: Sweden Full Year 2011: Volvo V70 leads for the 15th consecutive year

Full December 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

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Kia Cee’d

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

New car sales in Sweden are down 7% year-on-year to 25,052 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 252,791 units, down 10% on 2011. The entire Top 4 most popular models stay unchanged vs. October: the Volvo V70 leads the way again and by far with 1,751 sales and 7%, reinforcing its 2012 leadership at 9,264 units and 7.6%. It is followed by the Volvo S/V60 with 1,215 sales and 4.8%, the VW Passat at 1,209 units and 4.8% also and the VW Golf with 976 sales and 3.9%.

Volvo V40

The Kia Cee’d is up 3 spots to rank #5 like in 2012 with 804 units and 3.2% vs. 2.5% YTD, the Volvo XC60 is stable at very high levels: another 791 sales and 3% this month while the Volvo V40 may have already hit its ceiling last month (#5 at 3.9% share), down 2 ranks to #7 in November at 744 units and 3% of the market… Other great performers this month include the Ford Focus up 5 spots to #8, the VW Polo up 34 to #9, the Renault Megane up 4 to #11, Peugeot 508 up 37 to #18, BMW X1 up 7 to #30, Honda CR-V up 14 to #34 and the Mini Cooper and Toyota Aygo breaking in the Top 50 at #44 and #47 respectively.

Previous month: Sweden October 2012: Volvo V40 up to #5, XC60 at highest share

One year ago: Sweden November 2011: VW Passat at its best ever!

Full November 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

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Volvo V40

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The Swedish new car market slows down its decline in October at -4% year-on-year to 24,028 registrations, compared to -18% in September. The year-to-date total now stands at 227,739 units, down 10% on 2011. The Top 4 most popular models are unchanged vs. last month: the Volvo V70 leads at 7.4% followed by the Volvo S/V60 and VW Passat both at 5.1% and the VW Golf at 3.9%. The all-new Volvo V40 confirms it will be a regular fixture in its homeland’s Top 10 over the next months and possibly years, up one spot and one full percentage point on September to #5 with 945 sales and 3.9% share, only 3 units behind the Golf!

Volvo XC60

In 6th place we find the Volvo XC60, up 60% year-on-year to 852 sales and 3.5%, its highest ever scores in Sweden, beating the 812 units 3% it delivered in June 2011. This means there are 4 Volvos in the Top 6 for the first time since that same June 2011. Other great performers this month include the BMW 3 Series up 11 spots on last month to #7 both in October and year-to-date, the Toyota Yaris up  6 to #9, the Hyundai i30 solid at #11 vs. #21 year-to-date, the Skoda Fabia up 15 to #14, the BMW X1 at #37 and the Mitsubishi Outlander boosted by the new generation to #38.

Previous post: Sweden: 1950-2011 More detailed Historical Data now available!

Previous month: Sweden September 2012: Volvo V40 takes off, up to #6

One year ago: Sweden October 2011: Volvo V60 threatens V70 for pole position

Full October 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

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Volvo V40

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

As usual Sweden is the first cab off the ranks as far as new monthly sales figures are concerned… The new car market in Sweden is down an alarming 18% year-on-year in September to 21,937 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 203,711 sales, down 11% on 2011. It’s a formidable month for Volvo: the V70 gains nearly 3 percentage points on last month to reach 9.3%, its highest share since last February, thanks to 2,038 sales, adding up to 15,729 units and 7.7% year-to-date. The Volvo S/V60 is up 2 spots to #2 with 1,112 sales and 5.1%, taking its distance from the VW Golf year-to-date at #3 with 9,606 units and 4.7% while the VW Passat is down to #3 and 5%.

Volvo V40

But the big event of the month in Sweden is the thunderous arrival of the all-new Volvo V40 in the Top 10 of its native country, up a fantastic 17 ranks on August to land in 6th position with 627 sales and 2.9% share. It is now #47 year-to-date at 1,075 units and 0.5%. With the Volvo XC60 up 5 ranks to #7 with 460 sales and 2.1%, this makes it 4 Volvos in the Swedish Top 7, the brand’s best score since December 2011.

Hyundai i30

Another manufacturer having a great time in Sweden this month is Hyundai. The i30 is up a huge 21 spots to break into the Top 10 at #9 with 431 units and 2% vs. #23 and 1.2% year-to-date, while the i2o is up an even more impressive 28 ranks to #14 at 342 sales and 1.6% vs. #32 and 0.9% year-to-date. Other great performers this month include the Audi A3 up 14 spots to #12, the Mercedes C-Class up 18 to #17, the Toyota Prius up 11 to #23, the Peugeot 208 up 22 to #30, the Subaru XV at #40, the VW Beetle new generation breaking into the Swedish Top 50 for the first time at #45 and the Mercedes A-Class back in it thank to the new model at #49.

Previous month: Sweden August 2012: VW Passat threatens Volvo V70, V40 at #23

One year ago: Sweden September 2011: Volvo V60 up to #2 for the first time

Full September 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

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