Europe February 2013: Nissan Qashqai in Top 5 for the first time

Nissan Qashqai. Picture courtesy of ernir, all rights reserved.

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It is not getting any better for new car sales in Europe: down another 10% year-on-year in February to 832,998 registrations, which brings the year-to-date total to 1,754,315 units, down 9% on 2012. Out of the Top 5 markets, once again only the UK registers a year-on-year increase. Shockingly, no brand in the Top 10 gains ground on February 2012: Volkswagen (-10%) leads, followed by Renault (-15%), Peugeot (-9%), Ford (-21%) and Opel (-16%). Year-to-date, only BMW at #9 with 87,761 sales is in positive at +5%…

Renault Clio 4

Model-wise, the VW Golf continues on its one-car-show with stable sales year-on-year at 32,663 units, over 10,000 above the #2, the Renault Clio very impressive at 22,318 sales, up 17% year-on-year thanks to the success of the new generation, #1 in France. This is the Clio’s best European ranking since February 2011 and its third time on the podium in the last 4 months. The Peugeot 208 continues to shine at #4 with 18,867 units.

Fiat Panda

But the best performance this month comes from the car that hasn’t stopped turning all the traditional European car sales trends on their heads since its introduction in 2007: the Nissan Qashqai. Whereas the model is basically 6 years old with a slight facelift, it hits a record 5th place this month with 15,813 sales, up 4% year-on-year and the best-ever ranking reached by a Japanese model… Notice also the Fiat Panda up to #8, its best ranking since last April and 5th time in the Top 10 in the last 12 months.

Previous month: Europe January 2013: Worst January in 23 years

One year ago: Europe February 2012: Ford Focus on podium, Fiat Panda in Top 10

Full February 2013 Top 10 models and brands Ranking Tables below.