Europe February 2016: 30th consecutive month of year-on-year gains

Fiat Tipo – Fiat surges to #6 overall in Europe, a ranking it had not held yet this decade. 

* See the Top 10 best-selling brands and Top 20 models by clicking on the title *

European new car sales celebrate 30 consecutive months of year-on-year gains in February at a strong +14% to get back above the one million sales mark at 1.090.104, stopping only 2.000 sales short of equalling January’s score. Only four countries out of 30 show year-on-year declines: Greece (-32%), Netherlands (-17%), Portugal (-3%) and Switzerland (-1%). SUV sales continue to lift Europe with sales up 31% to 265.500 units or 24.4% share. The year-to-date total is up a very vigorous 10% to 2.182.792 units. After dropping 4% last month, market leader Volkswagen is back in positive but just: +4% to 124.317 deliveries, resulting in the loss of one full market share point at 11.4% vs. 12.4% a year ago. We certainly haven’t seen the end of the emissions scandal aftermath yet. Renault jumps to #2 but also underperforms slightly at +10%, followed by Ford (+17%), Peugeot (+13%) and Vauxhall (+17%).

The Fiat Panda hits its highest European ranking in five years.

Now that it is starting to finally have all its ducks in a row with its once convoluted lineup and stable of brands, Italian manufacturer Fiat is showing great health in this start of 2016. Sales are up 22% to propel the brand past all three German premium manufacturers Audi (+16%), BMW (+15%) and Mercedes (+21%) up to #6 overall, a ranking it had not held yet this decade. Fiat’s performance is still heavily relying on its home market where it is up 36%, with Italian sales accounting for 61% of its European total this month. See the reasons behind this regain of form in our Italian February 2016 report. Accordingly, the Fiat Panda shoots up to #7 and delivers the largest year-on-year gain inside the Top 10 at +38%. This is the Panda’s highest European ranking in exactly five years, since February 2010.

European Skoda Fabia sales are up 49% year-on-year in February. 

The VW Golf remains the most popular nameplate on the continent but posts a shy 1% improvement at 36.117 sales, seconded by its smaller shadow the VW Polo (+6%). The Renault Clio jumps on the podium both this month and (temporarily) year-to-date while the Peugeot 208 distances the Ford Fiesta thanks to sales up a very impressive 20%. The Opel Corsa (+15%) is also strong in 6th place, with the Peugeot 2008 (+15%), 308 (+28%), Opel Astra (+35%) and Skoda Fabia (+49%) delivering the most dynamic progressions inside the Top 20. Further down, the Hyundai Tucson (#24) is the 2nd best-selling compact SUV below the Nissan Qashqai but above the VW Tiguan and Renault Kadjar.

Previous post: Europe January 2016: Discover the Top 333 models and All-brands

Previous month: Europe January 2016: VW down, Peugeot 208 and Opel Astra shine

One year ago: Europe February 2015: VW Passat at highest in 3 years

Full February 2016 Top 10 brands and Top 20 models below.