Switzerland February 2018: Mercedes topples Volkswagen to #1 brand

Mercedes is the #1 brand in Switzerland for the first time this decade, and possibly ever.

* See the Top 50 All-brands and Top 330 All-models by clicking on the title *

The Swiss new car market drops 2.3% year-on-year in February to 22.292 registrations, yet the year-to-date volume remains in positive at +4% to 43.963 units. 4×4 sales edge up 3.4% to 10.836 units or an astounding 48.6% market share vs. 45.9% a year ago and are up 8.5% so far in 2018 to 21.687 or 49.3% share vs. 47.3% over the same period a year ago. Aligning with most of Europe, diesel sales freefall 21.9% to 6.990 and 31.4% share vs. 39.2% in February 2017 and are down 14.8% YTD to 14.446 or 32.9% vs. 40.1%. AFV sales (alternatively fuelled vehicles) shoot up 37.3% but remain relatively limited at 1.370 or 6.1% vs. 4.4% a year ago, up 33.8% to 2.641 and 6% YTD vs. 4.7% in 2017.

A historic event has occurred in the Swiss brands ranking: despite sales down 2% year-on-year to 1.997 and 9% share, Mercedes manages to overtake everlasting leader Volkswagen (-11%) for the first time in recent memory, and potentially ever. This is at least the first time Volkswagen is not the most popular carmaker in Switzerland since BSCB was created in 2010. BMW (+2%), Skoda (+12%) and Audi (+20%) complete the Top 5 and all post positive scores going against the market. There are no other double-digit gainers in the Top 20, with the most dynamic among smaller brands being Jaguar (+96%), McLaren (+56%), Porsche (+25%), Mitsubishi (+21%), Lamborghini (+17%), Alfa Romeo (+14%) and Land Rover (+13%).

Model-wise, the Skoda Octavia (-2%) reclaims control both in February and YTD from the VW Golf (-8%) down to #2 in both rankings. The Mercedes C-Class (+7%) is up 6 spots on January to land on the third step of the podium, knocking the VW Tiguan (-4%) down to #4. The Skoda Fabia (-1%) jumps 11 spots on last month to #5 ahead of the Opel Mokka (+9) while the Mercedes GLC is up 18% to #7. The Audi A4 (+64%) and Dacia Duster (+36%) post the largest year-on-year gains in the Top 10. Further down, the BMW X3 (+96%), Audi Q5 (+107%) and BMW i3 (+511%) impress while the Skoda Karoq (#27) tops recent launches ahead of the Hyundai Kona (#56), VW T-Roc (#57) and Volvo XC40 (#59).

Previous month: Switzerland January 2018: VW Golf surges 92% to #1, Volvo XC60 #4

One year ago: Switzerland February 2017: Skoda Octavia leads in market up 0.7%

Full February 2018 Top 50 All-brands and Top 330 All-models below.