Switzerland October 2017: Audi up 13%, Q5 and Q2 break records

The Audi Q5 is up to a best-ever 7th place in Switzerland in October. 

* See the Top 50 All-brands and Top 340 All-models by clicking on the title *

New car sales in Switzerland are up a vigorous 5.7% year-on-year in October to 24.724 registrations, lifting the year-to-date volume back into positive territory at +0.2% to 256.207 units. Once again market leader Volkswagen frankly underperforms, posting a 4th consecutive double-digit decline at -11% to 11.2% share. Mercedes edges up 3% to a low 7.4% while Audi catches up on lost time with a fine 13% improvement to #3 and 7.1%, two spots and nearly one full percentage point of market share above its YTD level. BMW (+1%) and Skoda (-6%) are relegated to 4th and 5th place respectively. Opel (+57%), Ford (+33%) and Seat (+20%) post spectacular gains inside the Top 10 with Renault and Fiat also lodging double-digit lifts. Below, Tesla (+87%), Alfa Romeo (+74%), Cadillac (+47%), Dacia (+40%), Jeep (+31%), Nissan (+29%), Ferrari (+28%), Subaru (+25%) and Honda (+19%) make themselves noticed.

Over in the models ranking, the VW Golf reclaims the lead for the fifth time in the past six months despite sales down 2% to 3% share. Its meagre advantage over the Skoda Octavia (16 sales this month) means the latter holds onto the YTD pole position with 8.064 deliveries so far (-16%) vs. 7.662 (-17%) for the Golf. The VW Tiguan remains in third place but drops 16%, distancing the Audi A3 (+12%), Fiat 500 (+19%) and VW Polo tumbling down 35% due to its generation changeover. Outstanding performance of the Audi Q5 pushed up 78% to #7 by its facelift. This is the Q5’s best ranking in Switzerland since BSCB started following this market monthly in May 2012. The Mercedes GLC is also strong at +30% to #8 while further down the Ford Kuga (+58%), Seat Alhambra (+60%), Mercedes E-Class (+116%), Dacia Sandero (+72%) and BMW 5 Series (+71%) shine. The Skoda Kodiaq leads recent launches but drops 9 spots to #16 while the Audi Q2 hits a best-ever #22. There are five new nameplates in Switzerland in October: the Opel Grandland X lands directly at #50, the Citroen C3 Aircross at #100, the Kia Stonic at #133, the Kia Stinger at #222 and the Skoda Karoq at #266.

Previous month: Switzerland September 2017: Skoda Kodiaq in Top 10

One year ago: Switzerland October 2016: Skoda Octavia headed towards 23-year first

Full October 2017 Top 50 All-brands and Top 340 All-models below.