Poland August 2020: Toyota (+15%), Fiat (+19.5%), BMW (+7.7%) defy ghastly month (-28.6%)

The Toyota Yaris is up 86.4% in a market down -28.6%.

04/09: This article has now been updated with full month data. A previous version only included 20 days in August.

Facing a second wave of infections more virulent than the first from mid-July onwards, Poland had to impose new restrictions throughout August and as a result new car sales for the month crater -28.6% year-on-year to just 33.756 units, leading to a year-to-date tally down -31.5% to 251.879. This is with Romania the steepest August fall we have reported so far in Europe. Toyota (-15%) completely bucks the negative trend with a double-digit gain to easily top the charts with 15.3% share, also reclaiming the YTD top spot at 14.1%. Skoda (-13.3%) is relegated to 2nd place in both August and YTD while Kia (-6.8%) steps up to #3 for the month thanks to a solid hold. Fiat (+19.5%), BMW (+7.7%) and Mercedes (+2.6%) also manage an uptick in the remainder of the Top 15, whereas Volkswagen (-57.6%), Opel (-55.1%), Dacia (-49.2%) and Nissan (-43.4%) are hit the hardest.

Model-wise, the Skoda Octavia (+23.8%) soars thanks to the new generation and reclaims the YTD top spot off the Toyota Corolla (-14.4%). Toyota places 4 nameplates in the Top 7, adding the Yaris (+86.4%) boosted by the new model, the C-HR (+73%) and RAV4 (+38%) all in gravity-defying shape. The Dacia Duster (-41.2%) is down two spots on July to #4, with the Skoda Fabia (-30%) in difficulty and rounding out the Top 5. The Renault Clio (-4.9%) also resists well in the remainder of the Top 10 but the Opel Astra (-49.5%) implodes. Other great performers below include the Kia Stonic (+22.9%), Ford Focus (+5.6%), Hyundai Kona (#25) and Mercedes A-Class (#32) while the Skoda Kamiq (#19) tops recent launches above the Ford Puma (#29), Toyota Proace City Verso (#35) and Kia Xceed (#44).

Previous month: Poland July 2020: Skoda Octavia back in charge, VW T-Roc breaks into Top 10 in market down -14%

One year ago: Poland August 2019: Toyota Corolla (+156.1%), Dacia Duster (+105.8%) oust Skoda Octavia and Fabia from podium

Full August 2020 Top 15 brands and Top 50 models below.