Ireland August 2012: Volkswagen monopolises the podium

VW Golf

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

Traditionally new car sales in Ireland slip down through the year, with January being the strongest month of the year and December the weakest. 2012 is no exception, with registrations down to 3,098 in August compared to 4,431 in July and 6,370 in June. This is down 1% year-on-year and brings the year-to-date total to 74,158 units, down 11% on 2011. Volkswagen has a stellar month in Ireland, managing to place 3 models on the podium! While the 7th generation is about to be unveiled, the VW Golf leads the way with 149 sales and 4.8% and is now up to #2 year-to-date at 3,197 units and 4.3% below the Ford Focus, #5 this month, at 3,499 and 4.7%.

The VW Polo is up 8 spots on last month to #2 with 124 sales and 4%, it is #13 year-to-date at 2.2% and is followed in August by the VW Passat, #3 at 104 units and 3.4%, ranking #7 year-to-date. The Nissan Qashqai is 4th at 3.3% and now down to #3 year-to-date with 3,194 sales and 4.3%. Other great performers in the Top 10 are the Toyota Corolla up 4 ranks to #7, the Opel Astra up 21 to #8, the BMW 5 Series up 6 to #9 and the Hyundai ix35 up 3 to #10.

Notice also the BMW 3 Series up 9 spots to #14 vs. #33 year-to-date, the Skoda Superb up 6 to #20, the Mercedes C-Class up 5 to #25 vs. #42 year-to-date, the Skoda Yeti up 24 to #26 vs. #43, the Audi A3 up 23 to #28 vs. #51, the Toyota Aygo up to #31 vs. #101 and the Peugeot 208 up to #35 vs. #112.

Previous month: Ireland July 2012: Renault Fluence takes the lead

One year ago: Ireland August 2011: VW Golf takes off in quiet market

Full August 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.