Spain February 2016: Seat Leon & Ibiza top market artificially up

Very first appearance of the Seat Ateca in the Spanish ranking. 

* See the Top 43 All-brands and Top 278 All-models by clicking on the title *

Once again, the monthly Spanish results, seemingly showing a market in excellent health – best February since 2008 and +13% to 98.154 registrations – hide a different reality once we look at sales by channel. Sales to rental companies are up 19% to 26.583 and 27.1% share vs. 25.5% a year ago, business sales are up 25% to 23.674 and 24.1% share vs. 21.7% in February but private sales, the real measure of how healthy the Spanish new car market is, are up just 4% to 47.897 to fall below 50% share at 48.8% vs. 52.7% a year ago. In other words, 82.5% of the year-on-year gain registered in Spain in February is delivered artificially through tactical sales… A champion at this strategy, Opel (+19%) remains the #1 brand above Volkswagen (+4%), Seat (-15%) and Peugeot (+32%). Audi (+30%), Toyota (+22%), Mercedes (+66%), Mazda (+79%), Mini (+38%) and Land Rover (+105%) shine.

The Zafira Tourer helps keep Opel at #1 in the Spanish brands ranking.

The Seat Leon remains on top of the models ranking with stable sales at 3.656 while its little sister the Seat Ibiza is back up 11 spots on January to land at #2 both this month (3.588 sales) and year-to-date (4.852). The VW Polo (+22%) and Opel Corsa (+16%) follow with the Peugeot 308, up a spectacular 81% year-on-year, rounding up the Top 5 above the Peugeot 208. The Toyota Auris is up 29% to #8, the Renault Captur up 109% to #9 and the Opel Zafira Tourer gets a second wind, up 3-fold on February 2015 to an impressive 12th position. Further down, the Hyundai Tucson is up to #23, the Renault Kadjar up to #34 and we welcome the Jaguar F-Pace (#215) and Seat Ateca (#256) into the ranking.

Previous month: Spain January 2016: Opel soars to #1, Mokka in Top 10

One year ago: Spain February 2015: Seat Ibiza hits highest share in one year

Full February 2016 Top 43 All-brands and Top 278 All-models below.