Israel May 2020: Citroen (+29.9%) only gainer in Top 15, volumes stirring (-51.6%)

Citroen gains 29.9% in a market down -51.6%. Picture queenoftheroad.co.il

After stalling -88.7% in April, the Israeli new car market stirs itself back into better shape in May as COVID-19 lockdowns ease, dropping another -51.6% to 10.347 units according to data shared with us by our local partner cartube.co.il. This brings the year-to-date tally down -28% to 98.077. Brand leader Hyundai (-50.5%) rallies back up 5 spots on April to resume its domination at a very strong 18.8% share vs. 15.5% so far in 2020. Leader last month, Toyota (-65.5%) drops to #2 above Kia (-61.4%) and Skoda (-41.8%). Mitsubishi (-50.9%) is back up 8 spots to #5 and Seat (-29.9%) up 6 to #6 so that the top selling 6 brands are in the same order in May as YTD. At #8, Citroen (+29.9%) secures the only year-on-year gain in the Top 15, and a spectacular one at that, while Peugeot (-22.1%) and Chevrolet/GMC (-22.8%) both resist very well in the remainder of the Top 10. Further down, Porsche (+66.7%), BMW (+17.7%), Cadillac (+8.1%), Opel (+4.2%) and Jeep (+0.9%) also manage market-defying gains.

Previous month: Israel April 2020: Toyota (-83%), Kia (-85.7%) top market down -88.7%

One year ago: Israel May 2019: Hyundai (-2.9%) resists Toyota (+59.8%) in nightmare month (-17.1%)

Full May 2020 Top 50 All-brands ranking below.