Finland August 2019: Toyota Corolla tops market down -17.6%

The Toyota Corolla remains the best-selling vehicle in Finland.

New car sales in Finland “celebrate” a complete year – or 12 consecutive months – of year-on-year declines with August registrations logically down -17.6% to 9.806 as August 2018 sales were boosted by pre-WLTP stock clearance, but up 2.7% on August 2017. As a result, the year-to-date tally is now down -13.2% to 78.058. Toyota (+11.5%) continues to defy the depressed market conditions, leaping to an ultra-dominant 14.6% share vs. 8.7% for Volkswagen (-18.4%) back up to #2 YTD. Skoda (-6.1%) resists well but loses the #2 YTD spot to VW, while Mercedes (+22.2%), Hyundai (+18.5%) and Kia (+13.1%) post the largest gains in the Top 10 where Nissan (-62.6%) and Opel (-48.1%) are the hardest hit. Further down, Tesla (+1225%), Mitsubishi (+71.5%), Lexus (+62.1%) and Land Rover (+19%) impress.

Model-wise, the Toyota Corolla (+2132%) hits the Finnish top spot for the third time in the past 4 months thanks to the new model and advances to #3 YTD, whereas the Nissan Qashqai (-68%) pays for an abuse of “fake” registrations a year ago but gains two spots on July to #2. The Skoda Octavia (+1.5%) remains #3 for the month but retains the YTD lead for now, however it will be threatened by the Corolla shortly. The Toyota RAV4 (+208.8%) slides into the Top 10 for the 2nd time in the past 4 months, the Hyundai i20 (+175%) is up 7 spots on last month to #9 and the Ford Focus (+68.5%) surfs on the success of the new generation. Notice also the Mercedes A-Class (+84.8%), Kia Rio (+59.8%), Renault Clio (+38.6%), Volvo V60 (+33.3%) and Kia Cee’d (+24.2%) posting strong scores further down the Top 30.

Previous month: Finland July 2019: New Corolla lifts Toyota sales up 27.9% to 18.3% share

One year ago: Finland August 2018: Non WLTP-compliant sales boost Qashqai to 12.5% share

Full August 2019 Top 30 brands and models below.