Finland 1958: Volkswagen interrupts Moskvitsh reign

Volkswagen is up 56% to take the lead of the Finnish brands ranking in 1958.

* See the Top 65 All-brands ranking by clicking on the title *

1958 is an odd year for the Finland new car market: sales are down 26.2% to 14.214 and most Russian and Eastern-European marque completely disintegrate, only to return to their previous level in 1959. This behaviour is traditionally the result of a political or economic conflict that has triggered temporary adverse sentiment against a country or region, in this case the Eastern Bloc. As such, Volkswagen surges 56% to take the lead of the brands ranking at 17.9%, interrupting the reign of Moskvitsh down an abysmal 87% to #9 (but back to #1 in 1959). Ford (+134%), Fiat (+141%), Peugeot (+130%) and Opel (+190%) all more than double their 1957 sales to complete the Top 5. Below Renault (+73%), Volga is up 119-fold on the previous year and the only Eastern European brand to behave well.

Previous year: Finland 1957: Moskvitsh and Skoda add up to 49.9% share

Full Year 1958 Top 65 All-brands below.