Finland August 2020: Toyota monopolises podium for the first time, BMW (+31.8%), Audi (+28.5%), Mercedes (+16.4%) stand out in worsening market (-15.4%)

The Toyota RAV4 posts its first podium finish in Finland.

After stabilising in July (-2%), the Finnish new car market skids down -15.4% year-on-year in August to 8.296 units, and after France (-19.8%) and Austria (-29.9%), August is shaping up to be a lot worse than July across Europe now that the pent-up demand accumulated during the lockdowns seems to have dried up. The year-to-date tally is down -18.8% to 63.383. Toyota (+0.8%) bucks the negative context to edge up year-on-year and hit a fantastic 17.4% share vs. 14.2% so far in 2020, distancing Volkswagen (-19.8%) and Skoda (-16.3%) which both fall faster than the market. Kia (-12.7%) is up one spot on July to #4 but the heroes of the month are premium: Mercedes (+16.4%) at #5, BMW (+31.8%) at #8 and Audi (+28.5%) at #9 all ignore the surrounding gloom to post outstanding double-digit year-on-year gains. Further down, DS (+1300%), Porsche (+450%), Ssangyong (+400%), Fiat (+133.3%), Mini (+18.5%) and Peugeot (+2.2%) post the only additional upticks.

Over in the models ranking, Toyota spectacularly monopolises the Finnish monthly podium for what is believed to be the first time in history with the Corolla (+3.8%), Yaris (-0.6%) and RAV4 (+18.6%), the latter scoring its first ever podium finish in Finland. The Skoda Octavia (-40.6%), leader in July, is knocked down to #4 while the Nissan Qashqai (-52.1%) rounds out the Top 5. The Volvo XC40 (+87.9%), Kia Ceed (+16.2%) and Toyota C-HR (+2.7%) are also up in the remainder of the Top 10 while the VW Golf (-1.7%) sees its sales stabilise with the arrival of the 8th generation. Below, the Mercedes GLC (+282.1%), Audi A4 (+131.2%), VW Passat (+81.4%), Mercedes C-Class (+17.2%) and E-Class (+12.9%) make waves.

Previous month: Finland July 2020: Skoda teases Toyota for #1 brand, Mercedes (+50.6%), Hyundai (+27.2%), Volvo (+25%) strong

One year ago: Finland August 2019: Toyota Corolla tops market down -17.6%

Full August 2020 Top 30 brands and models below.