Spain September 2012: Worst ever recorded month

The Seat 850 launched in 1966, the last time new car sales in Spain were so low.

* See the Top 200 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

Whereas the Brazilian new car market was in uncharted “high” territory at above 400,000 registrations in August for the first time, new car sales in Spain are in uncharted “low” waters: down 37% year-on-year to just 35,206 registrations in September. This is the lowest ever recorded month in the country (I believe records started in the 1960s)… to be compared to a September all-time high of 111,619 units in 2005. All segments and channels are affected, with private sales down a horrendous 44% year-on-year and sales to companies down 29%. The implementation of a higher VAT on 01/09 has not helped an already devastated market.

BMW 1 Series – BMW places 2 models in the Spanish Top 10 this month

Year-to-date, the Spanish new car sales are down 11% to 556,095 units and predicted to fall below 700,000 by year-end for the first time since the mid-eighties. To stop this dramatic fall, the Spanish government will shorty launch the PIVE plan, a 2,000€ rebate on the purchase of a low emission vehicle if you get rid of your 12+ year-old car. This is the first scrappage scheme put in place by any European government since the end of the global financial crisis in 2010.

Renault Megane

Record-low volumes mean a much more volatile models ranking and it is indeed going crazy this month. The Renault Megane is in pole position for the third time in the last 2 years after September 2011 and May 2012 with 1,177 sales and 3.3% share, now ranking #3 year-to-date at 16,408 units and 3%. The Nissan Qashqai continues to evolve at stratospheric  heights, #2 both this month with 1,101 sales and 3.1% and year-to-date at 17,524 units and 3.2%.

BMW 3 Series

The biggest surprise this month is the landing on the podium for the first time in the history of Spanish car sales of the BMW 3 Series, up an out-of-this-world 34 spots on August to #3 with 893 sales and 2.5% share, and now #40 year-to-date… The Seat Ibiza is up one spot to #4 and stays #1 year-to-date thanks to 19,818 units and 3.6%, the Ford Fiesta is up 15 to #6 and the Peugeot 208 breaks into the Spanish Top 10 for the first time, up 26 ranks to #7 with 715 sales and 2%.

Seat Toledo

The BMW 1 Series also shines: it is up 31 spots to #10 at 636 units and 1.8%, which means BMW is the #6 best-selling brand in the country in September with a huge 6.6% market share vs. #12 and 3.4% year-to-date. Notice also the VW Passat up 10 ranks to #21, the Kia Sportage up 6 to #22, the Kia Cee’d up 9 to #31, the Mercedes B-Class up 14 to #33 and the BMW X6 up 54 to #116.

Citroen C-Elysee

A few newcomers impress this month: the new gen Mercedes A-Class is up 103 spots on August to #44, the Volvo V40 is up  88 to #53, the Citroen DS5 up 59 to #65 and the Citroen C4 Aircross up 103 to #78. The Seat Toledo is now seriously ramping up: going from #197 with 14 sales last month to #97 and 93 units in September. Finally we welcome two all-new models in the Top 200: the Ford B-Max lands directly at #79 with 137 sales while the Citroen C-Elysee ranks #161 with 27 units.

Previous month: Spain August 2012: Nissan Qashqai confirms pole position

One year ago: Spain September 2011: Renault Megane in pole position

Full September 2012 Top 200 Ranking Table below.