Hungary March 2020: Dacia Lodgy and Suzuki Vitara equal leaders in market down -14.3%

The Dacia Lodgy is now #1 year-to-date in Hungary.

New car sales in Hungary have started their coronavirus-triggered fall at -14.3% year-on-year to 11.478 units in March, even though it is less severe than some other European markets for now. This is due to the fact that March figures are registrations of months-old orders. As a result the year-to-date tally tilts into negative at -4.9% to 32.670. After a 6 month-drought, local producer Suzuki (-37.7%) is back to the top brands spot despite a steep fall. Skoda (+32.3%) and Dacia (+30.5%) ignore the surrounding and impending gloom with stellar upticks lifting them to #2 and #3 respectively with Kia (+22.1%), Renault (+13.6%) and Volkswagen (+10.6%) also very strong. Toyota (-2.3%) falls from #1 last month to #4 while Opel (-56.4%) and Ford (-50.4%) both implode.

Model-wise, we have a rare event: two equal leaders, the Dacia Lodgy continues to take full advantage of the 7.500€ government incentive for families with 3+ kids buying a 7-seater car. The Lodgy is now #1 year-to-date just as the Vitara is now only available as a hybrid model in Hungary. The Skoda Octavia (-6%) rounds out the podium and climbs to #2 year-to-date, while the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross (-44.3%) is up 5 spots on February to #4 and the Renault Clio (+28.2%) is up 6 to #5.

Previous month: Hungary February 2020: Dacia Lodgy best-seller, Ford Puma lands directly at #7

One year ago: Hungary March 2019: Suzuki SX4 S-Cross repeats at #1 in market up 4.9%

Full March 2020 Top 10 brands and models below.