Finland May 2020: Sales collapse accelerates (-53.7%), Kia (-29.1%), Peugeot (-28.8%) resist, Ford Kuga in Top 10

The Ford Kuga breaks into the Finnish Top 10 in May.

The April 2020 article has been updated with the Top 32 All-brands and Top 50 models.

After losing a somewhat contained -39.1% in April, Finnish new car sales go against most other European markets and accelerate their fall in May to -53.7% year-on-year and just 4.909 units. The year-to-date volume is now down -21.2% at 38.535 sales. After the Netherlands, Finland is the second European market we have covered so far that returned a worse result in May compared to April even though most movement restrictions were lifted on April 15, car dealerships have remained open throughout the crisis and the virus is now by and large contained with 6.877 confirmed cases as of May 31 vs. 5.259 as of April 30. This is exactly the same situation as in the Netherlands where lockdowns were only partial and whose car market is now diving, perhaps as the economic situation worsens.

Toyota (-56%) remains the best-selling brand in the country at 14% share, head and shoulders above Volkswagen (-61%) while Kia (-29.1%) signs the best hold in the Top 10 to climb onto the podium. Mercedes (-38.1%), BMW (-39.9%) and Ford (-50.8%) also manage to outpace the market in the remainder of the Top 10 but Volvo (-71.7%), Nissan (-66.4%), Opel (-64.5%) and Skoda (-60.1%) all implode. Below, Mini (+22.2%), Suzuki (-16.7%), Peugeot (-28.8%), Dacia (-31.3%) and Citroen (-33%) stand out in the Top 25 while among smaller brands DS (+100%), Ssangyong (+100%) and Porsche (stable) shine.

Model-wise, the Toyota Corolla (-68.6%) secures a 5th consecutive win and an 11th pole position in the past 13 months, with the Japanese manufacturer scoring a 1-2 this month with the Yaris (-50%) in 2nd place. The Nissan Qashqai (-66.7%) remains at #3 while the Kia Rio (+6%) is the only gainer near the top of the charts, up 9 spots on April to #4. The Toyota C-HR (-29.3%) and Kia Ceed (-41.3%) also lose markedly less ground than the market in the remainder of the Top 10 but the hero of the month is whiteout a doubt the Ford Kuga soaring to #10 which is its first Finnish Top 10, Top 20 or Top 30 appearance since we started following this market monthly in 2010. The PHEV variant of the new generation may be behind this sudden surge. The Mercedes GLC (+24.3%), VW T-Roc (-9.7%) and Kia Stonic (-15.9%) also shine.

Previous month: Finland April 2020: BMW (+17.5%), Volvo XC40 (+3.8%), Skoda Kamiq (#12) headline market down “just” -39.1%

One year ago: Finland May 2019: Toyota Corolla takes control, market suffers 8th double-digit drop in past 9 months (-13.5%)

Full May 2020 Top 30 brands and models below.