Sweden July 2018: VW leads, Kia teases Volvo in depleted market

The Kia Niro leaps to a record third place in Sweden in July.

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 235 All-models by clicking on the title *

Last month, in anticipation of a new tax system coming into effect on July 1 and resulting in a steep price increase for most cars on sale in Sweden, buyers pulled forward their purchase to avoid the hike, making June 2018 the largest month in Swedish history. Logically, July sales are completely depleted as a result, down an abysmal 49.4% year-on-year to just 12.504 units. However the year-to-date tally remains in positive territory, up 9.1% to 238.047 registrations. In this very atypical context, homegrown marque Volvo (-69%) is hit the hardest in the Top 13 and loses its pole position to Volkswagen (-38%) scoring its first monthly win since August 2016 just as Kia (-11%) leaps up 7 spots on June to a splendid 3rd place, only 22 sales below Volvo. Honda (-7%), Porsche (-15%), Lexus (-28%), Seat (-30%) and Mini (-32%) all fall slower than the market while Cadillac (+1750%), Chevrolet (+211%) and Tesla (+68%) even splurge on a year-on-year gain, partly because they offer is green and therefore now cheaper.

The Volvo XC40 breaks its ranking record at #6…

The models ranking is completely reshuffled in what is potentially a sign of things to come, with eco-friendly cars already doing much better thanks to their new preferential pricing. The VW Golf (-46%) is the best-selling vehicle in Sweden for the first time since January 2017 followed by the VW Passat (-31%) hitting its highest ranking since August 2016 while the VW Polo (-23%) is also at its best since August 2016 at #5. The Kia Niro, a hybrid vehicle now benefiting from a bonus meaning a reduced price, shoots up 179% year-on-year and 52 spots on June to land on the third step of the podium. Needless to say this is the Niro’s highest ranking ever in Sweden (previous best: #13 last January), but it’s also the first time a Kia nameplate breaks into the Swedish Top 10, let alone the podium.

…as is the Kia Optima at #8.

In fact, there are even two Kias in the July Top 10: the Optima (+36%) is up 41 ranks on last month to hit a record #8 (previous best: #14 in September 2017). Another record-breaker is the Volvo XC40 up 12 spots on June to lift to #6, eclipsing its previous best of #9 reached last April. The Toyota Yaris (-21%) and Skoda Fabia (-30%) also manage very rare appearances inside the Top 10. As for the rest of the Volvo lineup, it’s a hellish month: #1 year-to-date, the S/V90 (-73%) drops to #4, #1 in June the S/V60 (-58%) sinks to #11 while the XC60 (-88%) implodes to #12 and the V40 (-68%) is down to #16. Other great performers include the Kia Picanto (+57%) up 60 ranks on June to #22, the Skoda Karoq up 20 to #23, the Renault Zoe (+200%) up 140 to #26, the Hyundai Ioniq (+63%) up 123 to #37 and the Seat Arona up 53 to #38.

Previous month: Sweden June 2018: Upcoming tax hike spurs biggest month in history

One year ago: Sweden July 2017: Volvo XC60 triumphs

Full July 2018 Top 45 All-brands and Top 235 All-models below.