UK December 2016: Astra and C-Class shine in market down 1%

Vauxhall Astra sales are up 51% in December. 

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

UK business sales up 51% to 8.257 did nothing to prevent December to become only the second month of year-on-year decline in 2016 along with last June, at -1% to 178.022 units. Fleet sales are down 0.8% to 102.125 but it’s private sales, down 5.5% to 67.640, that inflict the most damage to the overall market. Nevertheless, despite this slight the UK market posts a second consecutive record year – something we will cover shortly in our FY 2016 Report. Ford keeps the lead of the brands ranking in spite of sales down 11% to 11.7% share, distancing Vauxhall at 9.6% (-18%), Volkswagen at 8.8% (+8%), BMW at 8.5% (-12%) and Audi at 6.4%, up a splendid 24%. Nissan (+9%), Mercedes (+15%), Skoda (+18%), Seat (+61%), Honda (+18%), Jaguar (+31%), Suzuki (+16%), Porsche (+128%) and Smart (+30%) go against the grain and all post spectacular gains inside the Top 30.

The Mercedes C-Class is up 67%.

Model-wise, the Ford Fiesta remains untouchable despite sales down 9% at 4.6% share while the Vauxhall Astra continues to push forward with deliveries up 51% to 3.4% share, once again leading its segment ahead of the VW Golf at 3% (+11%) and the Ford Focus at 2.8% (+0.2%). The Mini is down 14% but brilliantly steps into the monthly Top 5 for the second time this year after June, the Vauxhall Corsa freefalls 43% to 6th place but remains #2 over the Full Year, the Nissan Juke surges 35% and outsells the Qashqai for the first time in two years (since December 2014) and the Mercedes C-Class soars 67% to land in 9th position.

Previous month: UK November 2016: Fleet sales keep market on track for annual record

One year ago: UK December 2015: Mini on podium in record month

Full December 2016 Top 10 models and Top 42 All-brands below.