Denmark March 2020: Tesla Model 3 (+137.9%) leads, ignores market stifled by COVID-19 lockdown (-42.3%)

The Tesla Model 3 is #1 in Denmark for the 2nd time in the past 4 months.

Denmark was among the first European countries to introduce lockdown measures, starting March 13. Initially scheduled to last two weeks, they were later extended to April 13. Despite total infections rising by 73% over the past week from 3.039 as of March 31 to 5.236 as of April 7, Denmark announced plans to start loosening restrictions from April 15, but a ban on large social gatherings would remain in place until at least August. Because of these early lockdown measures the Danish new car market is hit hard in March at -42.3% year-on-year to 15.184 units, leading to a year-to-date tally down -26.3% to 48.860.

Volkswagen (-45.8%) remains in the brands lead with 11.6% share vs. 12.2% so far in 2020 while Peugeot (-47.5%) overtakes Toyota (-51.7%) for 2nd place and Citroen (-43%) and Skoda (-42.4%) round out the Top 5 like last month. Mercedes (+3%) is the only gainer in the Top 8 and advances 3 spots on last month to #6 as a result but it’s Tesla (+133.6%) that scores the most impressive uptick by far, lifting 13 ranks on February to #9 with just under 5% of the Danish new car market. Mitsubishi (+177.6%), DS (+24.5%) and Land Rover (+17.9%) are also up further down.

The Tesla Model 3 (+137.9%) surges 58 spots on February to snap the overall Danish lead for the 2nd time after last December, but because of weak market volumes in March it is only up to #12 YTD. The Nissan Qashqai (-53.8%) is up one rank to #2 and while the Peugeot 208 (-41.9%), which appears to be the favourite to win Design Of The Year at the World Card Awards today, remains the best-selling vehicle in Denmark in 2020 even tough it is down to #3 this month. The Citroen C3 (-28.2%) and Toyota Yaris (-56.1%) follow while the VW Golf (-34.8%) is up 7 spots on last month to #6 as the new generation spread into dealerships. The VW T-Cross (#20) tops recent launches ahead of the Skoda Kamiq (#27), Kia Xceed (#49), Ford Puma (#50) and Mercedes GLB (#51).

Previous month: Denmark February 2020: New Corsa (+259.8%) lifts Opel up 64.5% in market down -19.5%

One year ago: Denmark March 2019: Nissan Qashqai takes control in record market (+33.2%)

Full March 2020 Top 50 All-brands and Top 225 All-models below.