Switzerland March 2019: Tesla Model 3 spectacularly takes the lead in market posting first uptick in 8 months

The Tesla Model 3 is the outright best-seller in 3 European markets: Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland. Picture popularmechanics.com.

New car sales in Switzerland return to positive territory for the first time since July 2018 and only the third time in 12 months (add April 2018) with March deliveries up 3% to 28.958 units, meaning the YTD volume is now down just 24 sales or -0.03% to 72.065. As it has been the case for the past couple of years, 4×4 sales outperform the market at +7.6% to 14.881 and 51.4% share vs. 49.2% in March 2018 and up 3.3% YTD to 36.684 and 50.9% vs. 49.3%. Alternatively fuelled vehicles shoot up 87.9% to 3.681 units and 12.7% share vs. 7% in March 2018, up 59.8% YTD to 7.351 and 10.2% vs. 6.4%.

Volkswagen (+8.6%) and most strikingly Skoda (+38.4%) comfortably outpace the market to top the brands order with 9.8% and 8.4% share respectively, with Mercedes (-5.3%) knocked down to #3. Tesla (+286%) enjoys the benefits of the new Model 3 to leap up 15 spots on last month and break into the Swiss Top 10 brands for the very first time at #8. Seat (+36.7%) and Audi (+35.6%) also lodge exceptional scores in the remainder of the Top 10.

In the models ranking, the Tesla Model 3 is up 12 spots on February to spectacularly takes the overall lead with just under 1.100 sales and 3.8% share, a full percentage point above the YTD leader, the Skoda Octavia (+5%). As orders from sometimes years ago are now able to be fulfilled, the Model 3 has invaded Europe with stunning figures, and Switzerland is the third European (and world) market so far where the Tesla Model 3 is the best-seller in March alongside the Netherlands and Norway. It now ranks at a very impressive 4th place year-to-date below the Octavia, VW Golf and Tiguan, in excellent company for sure. Skoda is on fire in Switzerland with the Kodiaq (+174.2%) up to a record 3rd place in March and the Karoq (+134.4%) down just one on its all-time best of #4 in February to #5. The Mercedes A-Class (+56%), Fiat 500 (+33.4%) and Audi A3 (+26.6%) also impress in the Top 10.

Previous month: Switzerland February 2019: Skoda Karoq up to #4, Kodiaq #7, Tesla Model 3 #13

One year ago: Switzerland March 2018: Ford and Volvo lone gainers in market down 7.8%

Full March 2019 Top 50 All-brands and Top 340 All-models below.