Austria February 2020: VW Golf signs first win in a year, Mercedes (+34.3%), Hyundai (+26.3%) shine in market down -10.9%

First win for the VW Golf in a year in Austria. Picture carmagazine.co.uk

The Austrian new car market sinks -10.9% year-on-year in February to 21.067 registrations, pulling the year-to-date tally down -10% to 44.026 units. Volkswagen (-25.4%) behaves a lot worse than the market but easily remains atop the brands ranking with 15.7% share, distancing its stablemates Skoda (-6.4%) and Seat (-2.2%) both resisting a lot better. Below BMW (+3.6%) in positive again, Mercedes (+34.3%) and Hyundai (+26.3%) post the largest year-on-year and only double-digit gains in the entire Top 20. Fiat (+1.3%) is also positive in the Top 10 where Ford (-26.8%), Opel (-23.1%) and Renault (-16.5%) freefall. Outside the Top 20, Porsche (+354.5%), Subaru (+113.3%), Tesla (+46.4%) and Mini (+18%) stand out.

Model-wise, the VW Golf (-26.3%) reclaims the top spot for the first time in exactly 12 months (March 2019), potentially thanks to the arrival of the 8th generation in dealerships yet despite a ghastly loss, but the 2019 leader the Skoda Octavia (-38%) falls even faster. The Skoda Fabia (+9.3%) steps up to #3 ahead of the Fiat 500 Family, the VW Tiguan (+29.2%), Renault Clio (+13.5%), Seat Ateca (+10.3%) and Skoda Karoq (+7.1%) all defying the negative context to post solid gains. The Seat Ateca breaks its Austrian ranking record at #7 vs. #8 in October 2017 and the Mazda CX-30 remains inside the YTD Top 20 at #19. The VW Group places 15 nameplates in the Top 20 this month.

Previous month: Austria January 2020: BMW (+20%), Mercedes (+17.2%) defy market down -9.1%

One year ago: Austria February 2019: BMW only improving brand in Top 10, VW T-Roc on podium in market down -10.8%

Full February 2020 Top 45 All-brands and Top 20 models below.