Germany May 2021: Skoda up to record #4, sales up 37.2% on 2020 but down -30.7% on 2019

The Skoda Enyaq breaks into the German Top 50 in May.

The German new car market is up 37.2% year-on-year in May to 230.635 units, lifting the year-to-date tally up 12.8% to 1.116.737. However when comparing with pre-pandemic May 2019, sales are down a steep -30.7% on the 332.962 units of two years ago and year-to-date volumes are down -26.7% over the same period in 2019. Brand leader Volkswagen (+53%) outpaces its home market to 19.6% share, identical to its YTD level. BMW (+92.1%) shoots up to 2nd place overall at 8.5% share, with Audi (+33.4%) trailing the market but also up one spot on last month to #3. Skoda (+56.3%) is up two ranks on April to hit a new record ranking in Germany at #4 with 6.6% share, beating its previous best of #5 hit seven times between 2009 and January 2021. Partly responsible for this new record is the weakness of Mercedes (-14.8%) down to just 6.3% share for the month vs. 8.9% so far this year. Seat (+85.3%), Hyundai (+51.1%) and Opel (+41.5%) also advance faster than the market in the remainder of the Top 10. Further down, notice Tesla (+779.5%), Smart (+480.5%), Mini (+94.9%), Kia (+56.2%) and Porsche (+53.9%).

Over in the models ranking, the VW Golf (+1.4%) is back up to 3.7% share vs. a lowest ever 3.1% last month, but still vastly trails the market with a tiny uptick. The Fiat Ducato (-6.8%) is back to the 2nd place overall it held exactly one year ago in May 2020 as motorhome orders peak in preparation for the summer holidays. The rest of the Top 5 is 100% Volkswagen with the T-Roc (+90.4%) in outstanding shape again at #3 ahead of the Passat (+77.5%) also roaring and the Tiguan (+23.7%) in difficulty. The Skoda Octavia (+87.7%) zips back up three spots on last month to #6 whereas the Opel Corsa (+37.9%) is down three to #7 and the VW Up (+275.5%) up two to $8. The Mini lineup (+94.9%) and BMW 3 Series (+168.2%) also post fantastic gains to close out the Top 10. The Tesla Model 3 (+1024.6%) is up a whopping 108 spots on April to equal its ranking record at #16, also hit last March. As for recent launches, the Opel Mokka leads the pack, up 34 spots to #25 just above the VW ID. 3 remaining at #26, the Skoda Enyaq up 41 to #47 and the Cupra Formentor up 22 to #50.

Previous month: Germany April 2021: VW Golf down to lowest ever share in market up 90% on 2020 but down -26.1% on 2019

One year ago: Germany May 2020: Motorhome boom forecast lifts Fiat Ducato to #2, sales down -49.5% to lowest May since 1968

Full May 2021 Top 50 brands and Top 320 models below.