Sweden June 2019: Kia (+3.9%), Tesla (+560.5%) survive in 12th consecutive double-digit market decline (-51.9%)

Lifted by the Niro (+176.7%), Kia sales gain 3.9% in a market down -51.9%.

One year ago, new car sales in Sweden were spurred to the largest monthly volume in history thanks to sales pulled forward in anticipation of a new tax system implemented on July 1. Logically, the market falls back to earth this month at a ghastly -51.9% year-on-year to 31.830 units, sending the First Half tally down -25.6% to 167.882. This concludes a horrendous year for the Swedish market, with 12 consecutive months of double-digit declines. Market leaders Volvo (-61.3%) and Volkswagen (-66.9%) are hit even harder whereas Kia (+3.9%) stuns once again, one of only two Top 25 carmakers to not only gain ground but also not sink by the double-digits. The other one is Tesla (+560.5%) boosted by the Model 3 to its 2nd ever Top 10 finish after last March at #10. DS (+700%) and Jaguar (+49%) are the only other gainers in market, Seat (-10.7%), Porsche (-17%), Mini (-17.6%), Dacia (-21.6%), Audi (-23.4%), Skoda (-27%), Toyota (-34.2%) and Renault (-34.8%) manage to lose less ground than the market but Nissan (-79.5%), Fiat (-76.5%), Citroen (-75.2%), Opel (-73.7%) and Subaru (-70%) implode.

Model-wise, the Volvo S/V60 (-53.4%) confirms it is the new favourite at home with a 5th win this year at 6.7% share, far above the VW Golf (-52.9%) at 3.8% and the Volvo S/V90 (-72.8%) at 3.6%. The Kia Niro (+176.7%) posts a spectacular gain at #4, its highest ranking since last July (#3), the new Toyota Corolla continues to progress, up 4 spots on May to #6 and the Skoda Octavia (+2.7%) climbs back inside the Top 10 at #9. In contrast, the Volvo XC60 (-76.4%) and VW Tiguan (-64.9%) get annihilated. Among other recent launches, the Tesla Model 3 is up 30 spots on last month to #15, the VW T-Cross is up 32 ranks to #41 and we welcome the Mercedes EQC (#217) and Toyota Supra (#218).

Previous month: Sweden May 2019: Volvo S/V60 tightens stranglehold on market down by double-digits for 11th straight month (-15.3%)

One year ago: Sweden June 2018: Upcoming tax hike spurs biggest month in history

Full June 2019 Top 45 All-brands and Top 250 All-models below.