Sweden September 2017: Outgoing generation holds Volvo XC60 at #1

The Volvo XC60 “Classic” enables the nameplate to cement its #1 ranking at home.

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 270 All-models by clicking on the title *

New car sales in Sweden mark a pause in September, down 1.9% year-on-year to 31.672 registrations, but the year-to-date total is still up 3.1% to a record-breaking 279.839 units. Homegrown leader Volvo gains a sturdy 8% but remains well below its YTD market share at 18.4% vs. 19.6% while the reverse happens for Volkswagen, up 10% to 17.3% vs. 15% so far in 2017. Kia edges up 2%, a stark contrast with its sister brand Hyundai plummeting down 39%, and also snaps this month the third spot year-to-date off Toyota down 25%. BMW (+0.1%), Mercedes (+16%) and Skoda (+11%) frankly beat the market and are the only other manufacturers in positive in the Top 10, with Audi (-1%), Renault (-5%) and Peugeot (-5%) all down. Beyond, Seat (+36%), Subaru (+20%), Land Rover (+21%) and Ssangyong (+320%) post the largest gains in the Top 30 whereas Citroen (-21%), Lexus (-21%), Mitsubishi (-26%), Ford (-33%), Dacia (-35%) and Tesla (-61%) all struggle.

Kia Niro – Kia is now the third best-selling carmaker in Sweden below Volvo and Volkswagen.

The models ranking continues to see a two-pronged domination by the Volvo XC60, with total sales up 78% to a record 2.683 and 8.5% share ahead of a very dynamic VW Golf up 24% to 2.361 and 7.5% share, its highest scores since November 2015. However, the XC60 score splits into 1.989 “Classic” previous generation (+32% year-on-year) and 694 new generations, double its August score. These detailed figures courtesy of Nils from local publication ViBilagare, who is also reporting that the new XC60 has quickly become a quite usual sight in Stockholm in just the last few weeks. To be noted also is that the XC60 “Classic” currently sold are not stock clearance: the previous generation is still manufactured in Ghent, where it will be replaced by the new XC40 mid-November. All-in-all, it’s fair to say the Volvo XC60 has now secured its first annual pole position at home. Indeed, its closest rival, the new Volvo S/V90, lodges another disappointing month at just 4% share, below the VW Passat (+1%). The VW Tiguan (+116%), Kia Niro (+113%), Mercedes E-Class (+68%) and Kia Optima (+29% to #14 vs. #44 YTD) are the most impressive gainers in the Top 20. Finally, we welcome the Kia Stonic directly inside the Swedish Top 100.

Previous month: Sweden August 2017: Volvo leads, XC60 cements newfound leadership

One year ago: Sweden September 2016: VW Golf best-seller for third month in a row

Full September 2017 Top 45 All-brands and Top 270 All-models below.