Netherlands September 2018: Opel and Karl #1, Tesla up 197% to #6

The Opel Karl is the best-selling vehicle in the Netherlands in September.

* See the Top 40 All-brands and Top 270 All-models by clicking on the title *

Feeling the after-effects of a pre-WLTP registration push (+39.8% in August), the Dutch new car market dives 16.7% year-on-year in September to 29.527 units, but the year-to-date volume remains comfortably in positive at +11.3% to 359.581. Opel (-17%) matches the market which earns it its first brands pole position since last March at 10.5% share vs. 8.5% so far this year. BMW (+21%) jumps up six spots on August to a brilliant 2nd place vs. #8 year-to-date, while Peugeot (-34%) tumbles down but Kia (-4%) and Toyota (-3%) resist. The hero of the month is Tesla up 3-fold (+197%) on September 2017, in fact pulled forward sales due to an impending tax hike on green cars worth more than 50.000€ shooting up to 22% on 1 January 2019. Other carmakers that now take full advantage of their preparedness to new WLTP testing regulations include Volvo (+60%) while Mitsubishi (+75%), Jeep (+65%) and Lexus (+57%) also shine.

The Tesla Model S shoots up to #2 overall.

The Opel Karl (+19%) is up 17 spots on last month to snap the models lead for the third time ever after August 2016 and March 2018, while the Tesla Model S (+239%) shoots up 24 ranks to a new record 2nd place, smashing its previous best of #7 established last December. The Kia Picanto (+21%), Peugeot 108 (+8%) and Toyota Aygo (+12%) make sure there are four microcars in the September Top 6, while the Tesla Model X (+143%), Ford Fiesta (+50%) and Hyundai i10 (+34%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10. The Nissan Leaf (+496%), BMW 3 Series (+102%), Volvo V60 (+85%), Toyota C-HR (+76%) post spectacular gains further down just as the Volvo XC40 leaps up 46 spots to lead all recent launches (<12 months) at #24, distancing the Hyundai Kona (#38), VW T-Roc (#65) and Citroen C3 Aircross (#72).

Previous month: Netherlands August 2018: Renault, VW boosted by pre-WLTP clearances

One year ago: Netherlands September 2017: Volkswagen up 29% in market up 7.9%

Full September 2018 Top 40 All-brands and Top 270 All-models below.