Europe July 2021: Dacia Sandero signs first ever win, VW T-Cross, Hyundai Tucson & Ford Puma crack Top 10

The Dacia Sandero is the best-selling vehicle in Europe for the very first time. Picture carmagazine.co.uk

07/09 update: Now with Top 330 models.

01/09 update: Now with Top 52 brands and Top 100 models.

According to data released by JATO Dynamics, the European new car market falls a steep -24% year-on-year in July to 967.830 units, the lowest July volume since 2012 (966.090), as the microchip crisis makes itself felt alongside a slow recovery from Covid-19. The year-to-date tally remains frankly in positive at +17% and 7.381.735 units but this is down -24% on the same period in 2019. BEV and PHEV models buck the negative trend this month as they grow 44% to 160.646 units or just under 17% share which is the third highest ever after last month and December 2020.

In the brands ranking, Volkswagen (-19.3%) loses less ground than the market to easily rank the best-selling manufacturer on the continent. Toyota (-3.7%) vastly outpaces the market to break its European ranking record at #2 overall, up one spot on June. BMW (-23.1%) remains the best-selling premium brand and gains two ranks on last month to #3, distancing Peugeot (-34.4%), Audi (-17.8%), Mercedes (-32.4%) and Skoda (-28.2%). Hyundai (+4.5%) lodges the only year-on-year gain in the Top 10 and advances one spot to #8 which is believed to be a new ranking record for the Korean brand. Also breaking its ranking record is sister brand Kia (-5.2%) at #9. Renault (-53.6%) is knocked out of the Top 10 at #11 vs. #2 last month. Suzuki (+4%) is the only additional gainer in the Top 25.

This month the Top 10 models could well be the most eventful of the year so far. For the first time in Dacia’s history, one of its models is the outright best-seller in Europe: thanks to its new generation the Sandero (+6.4%) snaps a stunning first-ever pole position, helped by wins in France, Spain and Austria. Still a clear #1 year-to-date, the VW Golf (-37.7%) endures the harshest decline in the Top 15 and is knocked down to #2. The Toyota Yaris (+0.6%) edges up and gains three spots on June to land on the third step of the podium, now ranking #2 YTD as the Peugeot 208 (and Renault Clio) disappear from the July Top 10 at #17 and #22 respectively. The VW Polo (-9.3%) rallies back up 7 ranks to #4, its highest ranking since November 2019 (#4 also), the VW T-Roc (-17.4%) is up two to #5 and the VW Tiguan (-28.3%) is up three to #6.

We have no less than three newcomers in the European Top 10 this month: the Hyundai Tucson (+39%) takes full advantage of its new generation to surge 10 spots on last month directly to 7th place overall, the highest European ranking ever hit by a Hyundai nameplate and we believe the first Top 10 finish by any Hyundai. Up eight spots on June to #8, the VW T-Cross (+11%) also signs its maiden Top 10, making it five VWs in the Top 8 which is a new record. Below the Dacia Duster (-19.7%) down year-on-year but up 9 ranks on last month to #9, the Ford Puma (+1%) is our last new entrant in the Top 10 at #10, rewarded for its strong performance all across the continent. It ensures there are a record 6 SUVs in the Top 10: from #5 down.

Previous month: Europe June 2021: VW (+28.9%), Hyundai (+56.8%) shine, Tesla Model 3 up to #2 in market up 13.3%

One year ago: Europe July 2020: Market fall thaws to -3.6%, Peugeot 2008 up to record #7

Full July 2021 Top 55 brands and Top 100 models below.