UK 2009: Ford Fiesta new leader, Mini back in Top 10

Ford Fiesta

* See the Top 100 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Florian *

At 1,994,999 registrations (-11%), the British car market goes below the 2m mark for the first time in over a decade. The fall would have been even more significant were it not for the scrappage scheme put in place at mid-year. Following on from its great start late last year, the new generation Ford Fiesta starts the year with a bang at 7.9% market share in January. It takes control of the UK market in 2009 with 117,296 sales (+23%) and a strong 5.9% market share, putting an end to 10 years of Ford Focus domination.

Mini

The Focus drops to #2 at 93,517 sales (-8%), followed by the Vauxhall Corsa (-15%) and Astra (-25%). The VW Golf is the best selling foreign model for the fifth year in a row at #5 ahead of the Peugeot 207. For the first time in 28 years, the Mini nameplate is back into the Top 10 at #7 with 39,866 sales. As a nameplate it had not been at this level since 1981, and it is the first time the ‘new Mini’ reaches these heights. The Vauxhall Insignia starts well at #9 for its first full year of sales, peaking at #6 in February and April. The Audi A3 ranks within the Top 10 for 3 months at the start of the year, peaking at a best-ever 6th place in January, and finishes the year just outside the Top 10 at a best-ever #11 with 33,154 units.

Hyundai i10

The scrappage schemes starting in July had a significant impact on the models ranking in the 2nd half of the year. #9 in July, the Hyundai i10 jumps to an astounding 3rd place in August, even scoring the ‘best selling car to private buyers’ title that month and Hyundai being the best selling brand! It’s the first time in English history a Korean car ranks in the Top 10. More details here. The i10 finishes the year at #21 with 24,577 sales.

Fiat 500

Other cars breaking into the Top 10 for the first time this year include the Nissan Qashqai, #9 in May and up a massive 14 spots and 47% over the full year to #12, the Toyota Yaris, #10 in August and peaking at #9 with a mean 6,896 sales in September (#13 in 2009) and the Fiat 500, #10 in October and #9 in December, and #22 over the full year.

Notice also the Honda Jazz up 7 spots to #15, the Mazda2 up 17 ranks to #30, the Kia Picanto up to #33 and the Jaguar XF up 14% and 9 spots to #52 with 10,112 sales and 0.5% share.

Full Year 2009 Top 100 Ranking Table below.