Sweden March 2020: Kia (+11.2%), Tesla (+22.9%) defy market down -8.6%

The Kia Stonic breaks into the Swedish Top 10. Picture hogstavaxeln.se

Sweden has not ordered its inhabitants to stay-at-home in the face of the coronavirus outbreak with life continuing almost as usual in the country so far, 4.435 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 180 related deaths reported in the country as of March 31 according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. As a result the Swedish new car market’s -8.6% year-on-year fall to 27.649 units in March can’t be attributed to COVID-19, but rather to the continued impact of sales pulled forward to late 2019 in order to avoid tax increases. The year-to-date volume is now down -10.5% to 66.141. The market share of rechargeable cars (EV and PHEV) almost doubles year-on-year at 28.2% vs. 14.6% in March 2019, and lifts to 27.9% so far in 2020 vs. 13.3% over the same period in 2019. Local automotive association Bilsweden does believe the Coronavirus outbreak will have an impact on Swedish sales over the coming months.

Volvo (-4.5%) keeps control of the brands charts with 18.7% share vs. 19.1% year-to-date, distancing Volkswagen (+3.2%) at 13.5%, with Kia (+11.2%) and Audi (+10.9%) in tow and both posting brilliant improvements. Tesla (+22.9%) manages the largest gain in the Top 15 and leaps 10 spots on last month to break into the Top 10 brands at a record #9, a level it also reached last September. Other great performers include DS (+344.4%), Porsche (+93.2%), Citroen (+18.1%) and Peugeot (+11.6%). Newcomer Polestar reappears in the ranking at #35 with 4 units of its 1 finding a new Swedish home.

Over in the models ranking, the Volvo S/V60 (+13.9%) easily keeps the lead with a fantastic 8.4% share, way above the VW Golf (+24.5%) in outstanding shape and up 5 spots on February to #2 as the new generation has now arrived in dealerships. The Tesla Model 3 (+7.9%) shoots up 50 spots on last month to climb on the Swedish podium for the first time, eclipsing its previous best of #6 hit last September. The Volvo XC40 (+104.8%) continues to evolve markedly higher than last year, down two ranks on February to a still very impressive 4th place, #3 YTD. The Kia Stonic (+588.3%) posts by far the most spectacular gain near the top and is up 26 spots on last month to break into the Swedish Top 10 for the first time at #8. The Toyota Corolla (+74.6%), VW Passat (+38.9%) and BMW 3 Series (+22.8%) also impress. The VW T-Cross (#19) tops recent launches above the Skoda Kamiq (#37) and Ford Puma (#60).

Previous month: Sweden February 2020: Volvo XC40 up to record 2nd place in market down -6.3%

One year ago: Sweden March 2019: Tesla Model 3 lands in 5th place in 9th straight double-digit market drop (-18.7%)

Full March 2020 Top 40 All-brands and Top 245 All-models below.