Austria November 2018: Seat Arona hits record #7, Volvo, Dacia survive in market tumbling down 20.1%

The Seat Arona breaks its Austrian ranking record this month at #7.

It’s another dreadful month for new car sales in Austria, one of the European Union markets hardest hit by the post-WLTP hangover: after September at -41.8% and October at -20.3%, November is down another 20.1% to 23.604 units, tilting the year-to-date tally into negative at -1.7% to 322.075 units. Volkswagen (-17%) manages to lose slightly less ground than the market to utterly dominate the brands ranking again at 18.1% share vs. 8.1% for Skoda (-11%) and 6.9% for Ford (6.9%). There are only two carmakers in positive in the Top 20: Volvo (+18%) and Dacia (+3%). BMW (-1%) and Hyundai (-6%) are the only one managing a slim single-digit loss, whereas Audi (-54%), Toyota (-51%), Fiat (-43%), Renault (-37%), Nissan (-29%), Kia (-27%) and Citroen (-26%) faring the worst.

The VW Golf (-30%) holds onto the top spot despite a devastating loss, distancing the VW Polo (+91%) and Hyundai i20 (+167%) both posting insolent gains. The Seat Arona (+609%) hits a record 7th place, only beaten by the #6 spot it hit at home in Spain last October. The Renault Clio (+57%) and Ford Focus (+24%) also shine in the Top 10 while below, the Ford Ecosport (+433%), Peugeot 308 (+91%) and Skoda Kodiaq (+72%) post very satisfying upticks while the VW T-Roc drops 9 spots on last month to #12, its lowest ranking since August. The BMW X2 (#84) is now the best-selling newcomer (<12 months) above the Volvo XC40 (#97) and we welcome the Citroen C5 Aircross (#195) and Seat Tarraco (#227).

Previous month: Austria October 2018: VW T-Roc scores first podium, Cupra brand lands

One year ago: Austria November 2017: VW Golf and Renault Megane shine

Full November 2018 Top 45 All-brands and Top 275 All-models below.