Europe May 2014: Renault and Skoda shine in market up 4%

Thanks to the Captur, Renault is up 16% in May.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 10 models and Top 25 brands! Click on title to see *

If 2013 marked 6 consecutive years of decline and worst levels in 20 years for the European new car market, 2014 is decidedly more rosy. May is the 9th month of year-on-year gain in a row at +4% to 1,133,727 registrations, however still the 2nd lowest May figure in 20 years. The year-to-date total is up a very comfortable 6% on 2013 so far at 5,619,263 units.

Volkswagen dominates the brands sales charts head and shoulders with 12.8% share (+5%) ahead of Ford at 7.3% (-3%) and Opel/Vauxhall at 7.1% (+6%) but in May Renault is the best performer in the Top 10 with sales up a beautiful 16% on May 2013 to 71,504 units, paradoxically on the month it got overtaken by Peugeot at home in France… Other great gainers include Skoda up 23% to #11, Nissan up 10% to #13, Seat up 22% to #15, Dacia up 24% to #17, Volvo up 14% to #18, Mazda up 20% to #19, Land Rover up 16% to #23 and Mitsubishi up 29% to #24.

The Audi A3 is up to a best-ever 6th place this month in Europe.

In the models ranking, the VW Golf continues to be ultra dominant, even improving its market share thanks to sales up 16% both in May (47,202 units) and year-to-date. The Renault Clio up an impressive 23% to #2, absolutely not disturbed by the success of its SUV variant the Captur. This is definitely not the case for the Peugeot 208 down a harsh 22% to #8, which can be attributed in part to cannibalisation from the 2008. The Audi A3 is up 20% to reach its best-ever monthly European ranking at #6, also hit last August, the Skoda Octavia is up a huge 57% to #9 and the Opel Astra reappears inside the Top 10 at #10.

Previous post: Europe 4 months 2014: Fiat 500 inches closer to Top 10 at #11

Previous month: Europe April 2014: Nissan Qashqai regains traction at +22%

One year ago (brands): Europe May 2013: Worst May in 20 years

One year ago (models): Europe May 2013: Peugeot 208 on podium, Nissan Qashqai up 11%

Full May 2014 Top 10 models and Top 25 brands Ranking Tables below.