Turkey January 2013: VW Jetta and Renault Clio surprise leaders New generation pushes Symbol back up to #5

VW Jetta

* See the Top 25 best-selling models and Top 40 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

As is usually the case Turkish data is coming through with a little delay and it is a fantastic start of the year for new car sales in Turkey, up 23% on January 2012 to 25,835 registrations. Big surprise atop the models ranking: the VW Jetta grabs the pole position for the first time ever thanks to a record 6.1% share and 1,574 sales, smashing its previous bests of #3 and 3.8% from last August and pushing Volkswagen to #1 brand at 15.4% share. I would however doubt that VW can sustain this rhythm over a full year. The second place is also a surprise: whereas the booted Fluence and Symbol traditionally get the preference of Turkish consumers, this month the Renault Clio beats them both, up 3 spots on December to #2 at 1,218 units and 4.7%, certainly helped by the 4th generation produced locally.

Renault Clio

Leader in 2012, the Fiat Linea is kicked down to third place in January with 1,153 sales and 4.5%, only two units above the Renault Fluence which finished 2012 in 2nd position. After 6 months in hell (read outside the Top 15), the new generation Renault Symbol is finally available in the country, which enables the nameplate to be back up to #5 at 995 units and 3.9%, its best ranking since May 2012. It should go up further over the next couple of months to potentially reclaim the pole position it held back in 2011…

2013 Renault Symbol

Astounding month for the Dacia Duster: it breaks into the monthly Turkish Top 10 for the very first time at a brilliant 7th place thanks to a record 691 sales and 2.7%. Other great performers this month include the VW Passat up 8 ranks on December to #10, the Hyundai Accent Blue stable at #12, Citroen C4 up to #18, its first time in the Top 20 in over a year, Citroen C-Elysee up 9 to #19 and Peugeot 301 up 2 to #23.

Previous month: Turkey December 2012: Renault Clio up to #5

Previous year: Turkey Full Year 2012: Fiat Linea leader for the first time

One year ago: Turkey January 2012: Renault Fluence hits top spot for first time

Full January 2013 Top 25 models and Top 40 All-brands Ranking Tables below.