Netherlands April 2020: Kia (-22.5%) resists best, places Niro #1 in market down -53%

The Kia Niro is #1 in the Netherlands for the 2nd time in the past 3 months.

The Netherlands have managed to escape a full national lockdown over the past couple of months, and the new car market losses are therefore not as devastating as in neighbouring countries. After March at -24.6%, April sales are down “only” -53% year-on-year to 15.373, pulling the year-to-date tally down -20% to 118.458. Car dealerships have remained open though the period, and although new daily COVID-19 infections have been below 500 for the past week (total 40.769 at the time of writing), the big question mark now is how fast and how many car buyers will decide on a new car purchase over the coming months. The Dutch government has announced a scrapping premium for old cars in addition to the purchase subsidy for electric cars already planned for July 1.

Volkswagen (-51.6%) holds slightly better than the market and remains the most popular brand in the Netherlands but Kia (-22.5%) scores the best hold in the Top 20 to come tease the German brand at 10.7% share vs. 11.4%. Peugeot (-52.3%) is up one spot on March to #3, knocking Toyota (-47.1%) out of the podium. Only Skoda (-52%) and Renault (-52.6%) manage to outpace the market (just) in the remainder of the Top 10 whereas Opel (-66.8%), BMW (-62.5%), Ford (-54.7%) and Citroen (-53.7%) aren’t that lucky. Further down, Porsche (-21.7%), Mazda (-36.7%), Land Rover (-45.9%) and Mini (-45.9%) resist somewhat, newcomer MG is up 4 spots on last month to #26 and Polestar lands at #34. Jaguar (-88.6%), Volvo (-72.6%) and Seat (-70.4%) are hit particularly hard.

Model-wise, the Kia Niro (-18.1%) posts a spectacular hold (in context) to score a 2nd monthly win in the past 3 months. It however remains #2 year-to-date below the VW Polo (-60.2%) itself up top spots on March to #2. The Ford Focus (-61.9%) rounds out the podium above the Kia Picanto (-46.9%) and Renault Clio (-42.3%). The rest of the Top 10 entirely outpaces the market, the Citroen C1 (-28.7%), Peugeot 208 (-30.1%) and Hyundai Kona (-33.9%) being the best performers. At #11, the Opel Corsa (+60.3%) is the only gainer near the top, joined by the VW T-Cross (+45.3%) and Peugeot 2008 (+6.7%) in the Top 20. The Mazda CX-30 (#27) is the best-selling recent launch ahead of the Ford Puma (#38), Kia Proceed (#69), Skoda Kamiq (#84) and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe (#89).

Previous month: Netherlands March 2020: Skoda (+19.8%), Mini (+32.1%) only Top 20 gainers in market down -24.6%

One year ago: Netherlands April 2019: VW Polo #1, Kia Niro scores first podium

Full April 2020 Top 40 All-brands and Top 285 All-models below.