Greece July 2015: Bailout crisis triggers return to recession at -29%

The Toyota Yaris is back in command of the Greek market.

* See the Top 30 All-brands and Top 100 models by clicking on the title *

Amidst the bailout crisis and banknote panic, the Greek new car market plunges back into recession in July at -29% year-on-year to 5.447 registrations, pulling the year-to-date gains down to just +7% at 48.589 sales. Toyota (-8%) and Peugeot (+183%) both leap 3 spots on their June brands ranking to finish July at #1 and #2 respectively, while June leader Nissan tumbles down 31% to third place, just above Suzuki up 33% to #4. Following a nationalistic buying pattern, sales of mass market German manufacturers (and those perceived as such) implode: Volkswagen (-51%), Opel (-54%), Ford (-61%), Skoda (-47%) and Seat (-57%) are hit full frontal. But it doesn’t stop there: Kia (-56%), Fiat (-62%) and Hyundai (-71%) also suffer. On the opposite, the German premium brands are for the most part unscathed, with Mercedes (+1%) and Audi (+4%) even lodging year-on-year gains while BMW is down less than the market at -22%, resulting in an improved market share year-on-year.

The Suzuki Vitara is up to #13 overall in Greece in July.

Over in the models ranking, the Toyota Yaris reclaims the pole position it holds year-to-date off the VW Polo despite sales down 7% year-on-year to 369. It is followed by the Peugeot 208 (+123%) and Suzuki SX4 (+347%) while the Nissan Qashqai (-47%) and Renault Clio (-11%) gain spots on June but lose ground year-on-year. Atop the ranking, the Nissan Note (+48%), Peugeot 308 (+314%) and Toyota Aygo (+170%) also go against the grain while the all-new Suzuki Vitara is up 17 ranks to a fantastic 13th place. Affordable German nameplates are the victims of the month: the Opel Corsa (-57%), VW Polo (-54%), VW Golf (-48%), Opel Astra (-47%) and Ford Fiesta (-76%) fall flat.

Previous month: Greece June 2015: Suzuki Celerio breaks into Top 10

One year ago: Greece July 2014: Hyundai i20 holds onto pole position

Full July 2015 Top 30 All-brands and Top 100 models below.