Spain April 2013: “I’m not dead” says Seat Ibiza

Seat Ibiza

* See the Top 200 best-selling models and Top 44 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

Would the end of the tunnel finally be in sight for Spanish car sales? For the first time since last August and only the 4th time in the last 2 years after August 2011 and January 2012, the market is up year-on-year at +11% to 62,320 registrations. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, this is still the 2nd worst April score in at least 20 years and the year-to-date total still stands at a very shy 243,186 units, down 7% on 2012 and by far the lowest result in, here again, at least 20 years. We (I) had buried it a little bit too early: whereas it hadn’t smelt the sweet perfume of pole position for nearly a year (since last June), the Seat Ibiza is back with a vengeance this month: thanks to 3,211 sales and 5.2% share, it is back to #1 both in April and year-to-date at 8,698 units and 3.6%.

Audi A1

The VW Polo also excels: it is up 3 spots on March to land in 2nd place with 2,594 sales and 4.2% and is now also #2 year-to-date vs. #5 in 2012. The Seat Leon holds itself at a very solid third spot at 2,020 units and 3.2%, followed by the Nissan Qashqai at 3.1% and the Peugeot 208 up 4 ranks to #5 even though its market share is down slightly to 2.8%. The Audi A1 potentially reaches its highest ever ranking in Spain, up 17 ranks on March to #13 with 890 sales and 1.4%.

Kia Cee’d

Other great performers include the Audi A3 up 3 spots to #17, the Kia Cee’d up a massive 37 ranks to a best-ever #18 and the Kia Sportage up 10 to #22. Further down, notice the Seat Toledo up 10 to a still very shy #46, the Mercedes CLA up 52 to a brilliant #58 and the Renault Captur breaking into the Spanish Top 100 for the first time at #63. Two models make their very first appearance in the Spanish ranking this month: the Peugeot 2008 at #174 and the Renault Zoe at #183.

Previous month: Spain March 2013: Opel Corsa surprise leader

One year ago: Spain April 2012: VW Polo #2 in worst market in 25 years

Full April 2013 Top 200 models and Top 44 All-brands Ranking Tables below.