Czech Republic April 2019: Mercedes (+25.7%), Dacia (+22.2%) swim upstream in market down -5.5%

The Dacia Duster is the most popular foreign model in the Czech Republic this month.

It’s an 8th consecutive month of year-on-year decline for new car sales in the Czech Republic in April at -5.5% to 22.921 units, leading to a year-to-date tally down -10.4% to 82.537. Homegrown brand leader Skoda is almost completely immobile, down just one unit on April 2018 to 34.1% share vs. 34.4% YTD. That’s light years ahead of #2 Volkswagen (-25.1%) in great difficulty whereas Dacia (+22.2%) posts another spectacular month and climbs back up onto the podium for the 2nd time in the past 3 months at #3. Mercedes (+25.7%), Renault (+15.4%) and Peugeot (+11.8%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10 whereas Hyundai (-39.9%) and Ford (-18.7%) both struggle mightily. Further down, Lexus (+88.6%), Volvo (+43.7%), Jeep (+41.7%) and Porsche (+33.3%) stand out.

Model-wise, the Skoda Octavia (-14.3%) reclaims the lead it holds YTD off the Fabia (+16.7%) with the Rapid (-17.3%) and Karoq (+40.9%) in tow. The Dacia Duster (+46%) is the best-selling non-Skoda in the country, scoring the largest gain in the Top 20 and breaking into the monthly Top 5 for the third time ever after December 2017 (#4) and February 2019 (#5). The Renault Megane (+86.7%), Peugeot 3008 (+44.5%), Dacia Sandero (+27.6%), Renault Clio (+21.8%), Captur (+21.4%) and Dacia Dokker (+18.8%) also make themselves noticed further down.

Previous month: Czech Republic March 2019: Skoda Scala lands directly at #10 in 7th straight market drop (-12.1%)

One year ago: Czech Republic April 2018: 6 Skodas in Top 7, Hyundai i30 up to #4

Full April 2019 Top 45 All-brands and Top 270 All-models below.