Spain February 2019: Peugeot (+18.8%) takes control, Citroen (+16.2%) shines in 6th consecutive market decline

The 508 (+125.6%) helps Peugeot sales surge 18.8% year-on-year in Spain this month.

Spanish new car sales endure a 6th consecutive year-on-year decline in February at -6.9% to 103.449 units, however still the only six-digit February figure in the past 11 years alongside last year (111.166), but the first February drop since 2013. The year-to-date tally is now down 6.1% to 200.352, here too the second highest since 2008 below just 2018. Once again it’s company sales (+7.2%) that prevent an even steeper market loss at 33.011 units and 31.9% share vs. 27.7% a year ago, whereas private sales (-9.2%) at 53.592 and 47.1% share vs. 48.2% as well as sales to rental companies (-18.8%) at 21.752 and 21% share vs. 24.1% both fall faster than the market. Year-to-date, company sales gain 1.9% to 32.3% share vs. 29.7% while private sales drop 7.5% to 106.855 and 49.3% share vs. 50.1% and rentals skid down 14.2% to 36.902 and 18.4% vs. 20.2%.

The Nissan Qashqai is the best-selling vehicle in Spain in February.

In the brands ranking, Peugeot surges 18.8% year-on-year to take the lead of both the February and year-to-date rankings at once. Seat (-25.2%) tumbles down to #2 ahead of Renault (-2.5%). Citroen (+16.2%) is the only other double-digit gainer in the Top 15, with Dacia (+3.6%) and Nissan (+2.9%) the only other ones in positive. BMW (-28.3%), Skoda (-23.8%), Hyundai (-21.6%), Opel (-18.7%), Audi (-16,8%), Ford (-14.4%) and Volkswagen (-10.5%) are all hit hard on the other hand. Further down, Tesla (+863.6%), Jeep (+90%), Mitsubishi (+39.1%), Volvo (+31.3%), Honda (+23.7%), Alfa Romeo (+23.2%), Infiniti (+22.2%), Bentley (+20%) and Subaru (+16.1%) are the most dynamic.

The Tesla Model 3 has landed in Spain.

The Nissan Qashqai (+16%) snaps the models pole position for the first time since last July while last year’s winner the Seat Leon (-25.7%) crashes year-on-year but hold onto the 2nd spot just ahead of last month’s leader the Dacia Sandero (-1.9%) which remains in the YTD top spot. The Opel Corsa (-4.7%) and Renault Clio (-6.6%) are down on February 2018 but gain 9 and 7 spots respectively on last month to round out the Top 5. The Renault Captur (+44.3%), Seat Arona (+34.5%) and Peugeot 2008 (+14.4%) post the largest gains in the Top 10 while the Fiat Tipo (+81.6%) is up 57 ranks on January to end the month just 6 sales off the Top 10 at #11. The Seat Ibiza (-59.7%) implodes 9 spots to #12. Notice also the Kia Cee’d (+106.1%), VW T-Roc (+81.3%), Nissan Juke (+59.8%), Citroen C3 Aircross (+54.5%), Seat Ateca (+36.8%), Peugeot 308 (+31.3%), Toyota C-HR (+27%), Dacia Duster (+26.6%) all impressive inside the Top 30. The Citroen Berlingo (#28) is the best-selling recent launch (<12 month) above the Peugeot Rifter (#43) and Citroen C5 Aircross (#537). This month we welcome the Tesla Model 3 at #113, the DS 3 Crossback at #211, the Audi e-Tron at #228, the BMW X7 at #246 and the Lexus UX at #264.

Previous month: Spain January 2019: Citroen and Dacia strong, Sandero leads in market down 5.1%

One year ago: Spain February 2018: Fiat 500 and Peugeot 3008 up, sales at 10-year high

Full February 2019 Top 48 All-brands and Top 292 All-models below.