Europe January 2017: First ever Top 5 ranking for the VW Tiguan

The VW Tiguan breaks into the European Top 5 for the first time.

* See the Top 50 brands and models by clicking on the title *

New car sales in Europe gain a robust 9.4% year-on-year in January to 1.2 million units, the second highest January score in a decade. Brand leaders Volkswagen (+7.8%), Ford (+9.3%) and Opel (+4.9%) all trail the market growth, followed by three over-performing carmakers: Renault (+10.5%), Peugeot (+9.9%) and Mercedes (+14.4%). Fiat soars 16.4% to #8 and Toyota surges 19.5% to claim the 10th spot off Skoda, mainly thanks to the all-new C-HR (see further down). Other great performing brands include Kia (+17.8%), Seat (+25%), Suzuki (+29.3%), Alfa Romeo (+32.5%), Abarth (+40.6%), Jaguar (+49.8%), Bentley (+76.6%), Tesla (+84.1%), Maserati (+124.4%) and Infiniti (+151.9%)

Fiat Tipo is up 16 spots on last month to a best-ever #33 for this generation.

Model-wise, the VW Golf naturally remains in the pole position with sales edging up 0.1% to 37.645, but once again its gap with the 2nd best-seller is thawing significantly vs. a year ago: the Ford Fiesta soars 15.9% to 24.949 and the Renault Clio is up 16.9% to 24.696. With the VW Polo at #4 (-6.6%) and the Tiguan up to a record-breaking fifth place thanks to a 96.2% year-on-year surge to 21.849 sales, Volkswagen places three nameplates inside the European Top 5 for the first time since November 2015. The Opel Astra gains 22.4% to #6, distancing the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa.

The Toyota C-HR storms into the European Top 50 this month.

Beyond the Top 10, strong performers include the Dacia Sandero (+24.9%), Peugeot 2008 (+25%), Audi A4 (+26.8%), Renault Megane (+55%), Mercedes E Class (+56%), Citroen C3 (+57%), Mercedes GLC (+57.2%), Peugeot 3008 (+68.5%) and BMW X1 (+89.3%). Among recent launches, the Fiat Tipo celebrates one year in market by gaining 16 ranks on December to a best-ever 33rd place while the Toyota C-HR storms inside the Top 50 directly at #34 with a little under 10.000 sales.

Previous post (1): Europe Full Year 2016: Discover the Top 385 models and Top 60 brands

Previous post (2): Europe Full Year 2016: Volkswagen flat, Renault up in strongest market in 9 years

Previous month: Europe December 2016: Renault places Clio, Captur & Mégane in Top 7

One year ago: Europe January 2016: VW down, Peugeot 208 and Opel Astra shine

Full January 2017 Top 50 brands and models below.