Portugal March 2021: Peugeot 2008 and 208 top market up 19.8%

The Peugeot 2008 is the best-selling vehicle in Portugal in March.

New car sales in Portugal are up 19.8% year-on-year in March to 12.699 units, leading to a year-to-date tally down -31.4% to 31.039. Keep in mind March 2020 was down -57.4% due to the Covid-19 lockdown so this year’s March volume remains well below average. Peugeot (+93.8%) vastly outperforms the market to reach 13.1% share and cement its newfound domination of the Portuguese market. It is followed like last month and YTD by Mercedes (+1.5%) albeit with a very timid score. Renault (-9.1%) endures the largest year-on-year drop in the Top 10 to 9.1% share and ranks at a paltry 4th place year-to-date vs. #1 in 2020. Opel (+131.3%) and Citroen (+98.4%) deliver the biggest gains in the Top 10 in a fantastic month for the Stellantis Group as Fiat (+73.3%) and Jeep (+130.2%) are also on fire. Nissan (+66%) and Volkswagen (+26.4%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10 while below, Audi (+88.4%), Kia (+55%), Hyundai (+53.4%) and Land Rover (+50%) make themselves noticed.

Over in the models ranking, the Peugeot 2008 (+113.5%) reclaims the top spot for the second time this year after January and Peugeot scores an impressive 1-2 with the 208 (+161.9%) in 2nd place. Note the 2008 and 208 also top the year-to-date charts in this order. The Mercedes A-Class (-15.2%) leaps back onto the podium but is in difficulty while the Opel Corsa (+227.3%) and Renault Captur (+64%) close out the Top 5 in very dynamic fashion. Notice also the Nissan Micra (+328.6%) and Citroen C3 (+33.8%) sporting cool gains in the remainder of the Top 10. The new Citroen C4 is up 13 spots to #15, by far topping recent launches (<12 months) above the VW ID.4 (#88) new for the month.

Previous month: Portugal February 2021: Peugeot up to 19% share, 208 #1 in market imploding -59%

One year ago: Portugal March 2020: Coronavirus lockdown halts market -57.4%, Tesla Model 3 up to #2

Full March 2021 Top 40 All-brands and Top 240 All-models below.