Finland March 2020: Tesla (#12) and Model 3 (#4) break records in market edging down -1.3%

The Tesla Model 3 is the 4th best-selling vehicle in Finland in March.

Although all schools as well as most government-run public facilities and the country’s external borders were closed on March 16 and until April 13, Finland isn’t currently under the type of strict lockdown measures that are affecting France, Italy and Spain. Borders of the Uusimaa region containing the capital city of Helsinki, the most affected by infections, were closed on March 27 in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus across the country, but it’s business as usual for the large majority of car dealerships in Finland and according to The New York Times, Finland is the most prepared of the Nordic countries for the current pandemic situation. This is illustrated by March sales volumes down just -1.3% year-on-year to 9.023 units, leading to a year-to-date tally down -3.2% to 27.816.

Toyota (+16.3%) and Skoda (+13.4%) top the brands ranking with stunning double-digit gains, relegating Volkswagen (-17.2%) to third place. Mercedes (+27.3%), Kia (+19%), Volvo (+4.4%) and Audi (+0.5%) also return positive scorecards in the remainder of the Top 10, whereas Ford (-29.3%) and Nissan (-28.2%) are hit hard. Below, Tesla (+98%) shoots up 17 spots on February to #12, smashing its previous best of #16 hit last June and September, with Ssangyong (+700%), DS (+233.3%), Porsche (+75%), Renault (+60.6%), Lexus (+52.6%), Mini (+26.3%) and Land Rover (+26.1%) also spectacular.

Model-wise, the Toyota Corolla (+139.5%) holds onto the top spot with 6.7% share, a giant gap now separating it from the Skoda Octavia (-1.1%) at 4.1% in 2nd place. The Nissan Qashqai (-41.1%) climbs back onto the podium despite a ghastly year-on-year fall, while the Tesla Model 3 is up from outside the February Top 70 directly to a record 4th place, miles above its previous best of #13 set last September. The Volvo XC40 (+105%) and VW Golf (+13.1%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10 while further down, the Opel Insignia (+170%), Kia Rio (+175.4%), Skoda Superb (+82.9%), BMW 5 Series (+51.5%), Mercedes GLC (#14) and Skoda Kamiq (#17) stand out.

Previous month: Finland February 2020: Citroen (+115.4%), BMW (+90.9%), Toyota (+31.4%) can’t help -2.1% market drop

One year ago: Finland March 2019: Toyota Corolla #5, Tesla Model 3 #15 in market plunging -21.2%

Full March 2020 Top 30 brands and models below.