Sweden September 2018: Kia scores first #2 ranking, Volvo S/V60 #1

The Volvo S/V60 is the best-selling nameplate in Sweden in September.

* See the Top 45 All-brands and Top 240 All-models by clicking on the title *

The Swedish new car market is imploding this month (-39.6%), bearing the consequences of two combined pulled- forward sales events: one in June in the wake of a tax change that now handicaps cars with high emissions, and a lesser pre-WLTP one in August alongside the rest of the European Union. As a result, the year-to-date volume is now dangerously hovering on the cusp of negative territory at +0.7% to 281.828, still a record after 9 months. After the traditional August disturbance, Volvo (-43%) reclaims the brands top spot it has been holding at home for decades now despite losing even more ground than the market. Thanks to a green lineup in line with the country’s new and tougher taxes, Kia (-5%) only edges down and overtakes Volkswagen (-66%) to snap the 2nd spot overall for the first time in history after first climbing onto the podium at #3 in May 2016. Kia also signs a second month above 10% market share at 11% after hitting 11.5% last July. Ford (-14%), Toyota (-19%), Mercedes (-22%) and Renault (-30%) all fall slower than the market in the remainder of the Top 10 whereas Skoda (-47%), Audi (-44%) and BMW (-43%) are in difficulty. Tesla (+90%), Jaguar (+60%), Mini (+11%) and Fiat (+7%) are the only Top 30 gainers.

The Niro helps lift Kia to #2 brand in Sweden for the first time.

Helped by demo sales of the new generation V60 now available in dealerships across the country, the Volvo S/V60 snaps the pole position for the third time in the nameplate’s history after November 2016 and June 2018. This way it is now only 112 sales below the VW Golf in the fight for the 2nd place YTD. The Volvo S/V90 (-31%) falls to 4.6% share but remains by far in the YTD command at 7.1% of the market (+23%), almost 7.000 units above the VW Golf imploding 75% year-on-year to #3 in September. The VW Passat (-55%) is also struggling at #4 but the Kia Niro (+74%) is back inside the Top 5 for the second time in the past 3 months. The Volvo XC60 (-80%) rallies back up 12 spots on August to #6 despite a devastating year-on-year drop, while the Volvo XC40 edges up two ranks on last month to score a third consecutive Top 10 finish, earning the #10 spot YTD in the process. The Citroen C4 Cactus (+1044%), Nissan Leaf (+600%), Fiat 500 (+367%), Kia Stonic (+155%), Tesla Model S (+131%), Citroen C3 (+76%), Renault Zoe (+69%), Ford Focus (+53%), Mercedes A-Class (+50%), Mitsubishi Outlander (+41%) and Toyota C-HR (+34%) all brave the adverse conditions to post spectacular gains in the remainder of the Top 50.

Previous month: Sweden August 2018: Podium 100% Volkswagen in market down 17.5%

One year ago: Sweden September 2017: Outgoing generation holds Volvo XC60 to #1

Full September 2018 Top 45 All-brands and Top 240 All-models below.