Czech Republic August 2018: Pre-WLTP stock clearing triggers all-time record month

The Hyundai i30 is on the Czech podium for the first time in almost 5 years.

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 280 All-models by clicking on the title *

Helped by a pre-WLTP boost as is the case in most European Union new car markets, sales in the Czech Republic soar 31.3% year-on-year in August to break the all-time volume record of any month in the country at 27.830, eclipsing the previous record of 27.009 established in May 2017. The year-to-date tally also evolves at all-time record levels at 193.252, up 4.3% on the previous record in 2017. Homegrown brand leader frankly trails the market at +7% to a weakened 24% share vs. 30.7% share YTD. In contrast, Top 10 manufacturers clearly playing the pre-WLTP game this month are Nissan (+162%), Kia (+120%), Renault (+118%) and Volkswagen (+114%), and to a lesser extent Peugeot (+56%) and Seat (+53%). Hyundai (+31%) exactly matches the market whereas Dacia (-15%) and Ford (-11%) decline, paradoxically the sign of a “healthy” stock void of non-compliant models. Further down, Ferrari (+500%), Jeep (+124%), Subaru (+114%), Citroen (+110%), Mitsubishi (+84%) and Fiat (+66%) also post extravagant gains.

The Skoda Fabia shoots up 51% to 7.8% share but remains #2 year-to-date (-1%) below the Skoda Octavia (-4%). The Hyundai i30 (+75%) climbs onto the podium for the first time in almost 5 years – since December 2013 (#2), knocking the Skoda Rapid (+14%) down to #4. The VW Tiguan (+653%), Nissan Qashqai (+332%), Seat Leon (+99%) and Kia Cee’d (+96%) post the largest gains in the Top 10 while just below, the Kia Sportage (+241%), Renault Megane (+143%), Citroen Berlingo (+134%) and Renault Clio (+103%) are also artificially pushed by stock-clearing sales. The VW T-Roc is up 28 spots on July to a new record #21, followed by the Seat Arona at #43 (+3), Citroen C3 Aircross at #50 (+10) and Kia Stonic at #56 (-3).

Previous month: Czech Republic July 2018: Hyundai and VW impress in record market

One year ago: Czech Republic August 2017: Skoda Karoq lands in market down 0.3%

Full August 2018 Top 45 All-brands and Top 280 All-models below.