Turkey August 2012: VW Jetta up to #3, Symbol & Fluence down

VW Jetta

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Turkey is as usual making August figures available a little later and for the second month in a row the Turkish new car market bucks the general European trend and is up 6% year-on-year to 41,236 registrations. This comes after 11 consecutive months of decline ended last month and brings the year-to-date total to 330,257 units, down 11% on 2011. We may be on the verge of big changes for the Turkish models ranking: while the Fiat Linea enjoys its 7th month in a row in pole position thanks to 2,375 sales and 5.8%, reinforcing its 2012 leadership at 20,956 units and 6.3%, the usual two following Renaults are nowhere to be seen.

Fiat Linea

The Symbol, #1 in 2011, is down from #7 in June to #17 last month and #19 in September while the Fluence is down from #3 in July to #11 this month…Given Turkey is those two models’ strongest market in the world by far (Renault produces them both here), if their fall from grace is permanent it would mean a complete reshuffle of the models ranking in the country. However this is most probably due to both models’ imminent facelift (for the Fluence) and replacement (for the Symbol).

Hyundai Accent Blue

The Ford Fiesta climbs into 2nd place at 1,944 units and 4.7% and into #3 year-to-date with 13,790 sales and 4.2%, passing the Symbol. The VW Jetta lodges its best score since the #2 spot it hit in January 2011, up 9 ranks to #3 at 1,550 units and 3.8%. Other great performers include the Toyota Auris up 2 ranks to #5 vs. #14 year-to-date, the Hyundai Accent Blue up 5 to #8 vs. #18, the Renault Clio Hatchback up 7 to #14 vs. #21, the BMW 3 Series up 5 to #20 vs. #25 and the Mercedes C-Class up 6 to #25.

Previous month: Turkey July 2012: Opel Astra hits highest ranking in over 2 years

One year ago: Turkey August 2011: Nissan Qashqai and Juke shine

Full August 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.