UK October 2014: Nissan Juke smashes ranking record at #5

Best-ever UK ranking for the Nissan Juke in October.

* See the Top 10 best-selling models and Top 42 brands by clicking on the title! *

That the UK new car market is enjoying its longest period on continuous growth ever (32 consecutive month) is one thing, but that it keeps exceeding predictions is another. Its 14% year-on-year growth in October took everyone by surprise, myself included, lifting the monthly total to 179,714 units and the YTD score to 2,137,910, up 9.5% on 2013. Sales over 10 months in 2014 are the highest since 2006, already above the Full Year scores in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 and crossing the 2 million mark at this stage of the year for the first time since 2007.

MG sales are up 422% year-on-year in the UK.

Below Ford evolving like the market at +14% and Vauxhall frankly under-performing despite the loss of the Chevrolet brand at -5%, Volkswagen (+23%), Audi (+20%), Nissan (+43%) and BMW (+24%) all post indecent gains. Other over-performing manufacturers in the UK this month include Mini (+35%) up to #13 vs. #19 YTD, Renault (+26%), Volvo (+42%), Dacia (+42%), Mitsubishi (+306%), Lexus (+52%), Porsche (+33%), Subaru (+106%), MG (+422%) and Maserati (+203%).

The Nissan Qashqai makes it two Japanese models in the UK Top 6 this month.

The Top 4 best-selling models in the UK in October are identical to the YTD ranking: the Ford Fiesta dominates with 5.1% share, ahead of the Ford Focus up a splendid 40% on October 2013, the Vauxhall Corsa up 20% and the VW Golf up 25%. In 5th position, the locally-made Nissan Juke smashes its previous ranking record (#7 in October 2013), making its first appearance in the UK Top 10 since last April and its first ever time among the country’s 5 most popular vehicles. This is potentially the result of a combination of the outgoing model being rebated and the refreshed 2015 version hitting dealerships. In the process the Juke also outsells the Qashqai, its Sunderland factory buddy, for the very first time in the UK – albeit by just 24 units.

Mini sales are up 35% year-on-year in the UK.

Fresh from celebrating its record-breaking 2 millionth UK unit produced – the fastest to do so in the history of UK automobile, the Qashqai is up 4 spots on September to #6, making it two Nissans in the UK Top 6 for the first time in history and to my knowledge two Japanese models in the UK Top 6 for the first time ever as well. The VW Polo astoundingly almost doubles its sales year-on-year (+93%) to 3,968 units and 2.2% in 7th place, ahead of the Audi A3 now a regular in the Top 10 at #8. Thanks to the new model, the Mini reappears in the UK Top 10 for the 2nd time in the past 4 months at #9 while the Vauxhall Astra uncharacteristically dives down to #10, the nameplate’s lowest ever monthly ranking in the country.

Previous month: UK September 2014: Fiat 500 hits record #6 in best September in a decade

One year ago: UK October 2013: Nissan Juke up to all-time high #7

Full October 2014 Top 10 models and Top 42 brands Ranking Tables below.