Hungary January-February 2016: Suzuki Vitara sovereign

The Suzuki Vitara has a tight grip on Hungary where it is produced. Picture autonavigator.hu

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

Today we update Hungary for both January and February the first of a series of markets catch-ups for the start of 2016.

In January, the Hungarian new car market is up 10% year-on-year to 6.875 units including LCVs. The Suzuki Vitara starts with a bang, easily topping the sales charts with 476 registrations and 6.9% share vs. 343 and 5% for the Skoda Octavia, leader over he Full Year 2015. The Opel Astra is faithful to its third position while the VW Passat is up 5 spots on its 2015 ranking to #4 and the Ford Mondeo up 8 to #5. Notice also the Kia Sportage breaking into the Top 10 and the Dacia Logan at #17. The Vitara score enables Suzuki to take the lead of the brands ranking (Passenger cars only) with 12.2% share above Opel (10.5%), Skoda (10.4%) and Ford (9.9%). When adding LCVs, Ford swaps to #1 (13.2%) above Suzuki (9.8%) and Opel (9.3%).

Discounts on the outgoing gen and the arrival of the new gen push the Sportage into the Top 10.

In February, 6.625 passenger cars were sold (+12%) or 8.134 (+12% also) including LCVs, adding up to 12.193 (+13%) or 15.009 units (+11%) including LCVs. Opel is back above Suzuki in the PC brands ranking with 11.6% share vs. 10.3% but the Japanese carmaker remains #1 year-to-date. The Suzuki Vitara remains the most popular nameplate in the country at a stable 6.8% market share, increasing the gap with the Skoda Octavia (4.2%) and becoming the only car to sell in the 4-digits after just two months (1.033 units and 6.9% share). The VW Passat retreats to #5, knocked down by the Ford Focus, the Fiat 500 jumps to #6 and the Kia Sportage improves further to #9.

Previous post: Hungary Full Year 2015: Suzuki Vitara lands at #2 in market up 14%

One year ago: Hungary January 2015: Skoda Octavia starts with a bang

One year ago: Hungary February 2015: Police order lifts Mercedes B-Class up to #7

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