UK 2005: Ford Focus still in shape, Vauxhall Astra follows

Ford Focus

* See the Top 40 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Florian *

Car sales are down 5% this year in England at 2,439,717 units. The Ford Focus keeps the pole position, it has been 7 years in a row now. At 123,799 sales and 5.1% share, its 2005 figure is up 12% year-on-year thanks to the launch of the second generation late last year. For the first time since 2002 it was #1 absolutely every month of the year.

Vauxhall Astra

In 2nd place and also boosted its the new gen, the Vauxhall Astra delivers 108,461 units at 4.4% share, up 27% on 2004. It is very consistent at the top this year, ranking #2 in 10 out of 12 months. The Vauxhall Corsa slips down to #3 at 89,463 sales (-12%), followed by the best-selling foreign model in the country, the VW Golf in very solid shape at 67,749 sales and reaching its highest year-end position so far in the UK at #5.

The BMW 3 Series stays in the year-end Top 10 at #10 thanks to a fantastic December when it was #4 with 5,143 sales, its best-ever position in the UK. Notice the Mini knocking at the Top 10’s door, up 4 spots to #11 with 44,770 sales.

VW Passat

The VW Passat, freshly revamped, breaking into the Top 10 for the first time in October and improving again, ranking #8 in December with a whooping 2.8% share. It finishes the year at a best-ever 18th place. For the first time ever in Britain, VW placed 3 models in the Top 10 (Golf, Polo, Passat), and it happened in October. Notice the Mercedes C Class breaking into the monthly Top 10 for the very first time in December.

Full Year Top 40 Ranking Table below.