Europe August 2021: Toyota (-1.7%) at #2, Hyundai (+1.1%) at #5, market off -18.1%, Sandero repeats at #1

Toyota sales are down just -1.7% in a market off -18.1%.

11/09 update: Now with Top 400 All-models and Top 63 All-brands.

28/09 update: Now with Top 10 models.

Preliminary data from ACEA show European new car sales (EU+EFTA+UK) down another harsh -18.1% year-on-year in August to 724.710 units, the lowest level for the month since 2014. Given August 2020 was already off -17.8% on the year prior this is a very poor result indeed, as the European market gets embroiled in the microchip crisis with numerous factories on the continent idling over the period. The year-to-date tally remains up, at +12.7% to 8.188.886 but is down -24.4% or 2.643.000 units on the same period in pre-Covid 2019. JATO Dynamics has the August volume across 26 countries at 713.714 and the year-to-date tally at 8.095.419. For the first time in European history, rechargeable vehicles (PHEV+BEV+FCEV) outsell diesel volumes thanks to a 61% uptick to 151.737 units, leading to a year-to-date tally now standing at 1.32 million units. 

Among the Top 5 markets in August, France (-15%) fares better than the market whereas UK (-22%) Germany (-23%), Italy (-27.3%) and Spain (-28.9%) all lose more ground than the average. A handful of markets are in positive this month: Norway (+52.1%), Romania (+44.6%), Iceland (+33.9%), Ireland (+24.9%), Latvia (+14.3%), Croatia (+8.3%), Estonia (+3%) and Switzerland (+1.2%). Looking at the year-to-date period vs. two years ago, Spain is down -33.4%, the UK down -27.5%, Germany down -27%, France down -23.3% and Italy off -20%.

In the groups ranking and according to ACEA, the VW Group (-14.3%) resists ok and loses less ground than the market contrary to Stellantis (-29.4%) and Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi (-25.3%) both in a rut. Hyundai-Kia (-0.2%) is virtually stable while the Toyota Group (+1.8%) manages an uptick, a great performance in the current context. The BMW Group (-17.6%) roughly matches the market but Daimler (-37.7%), Ford Motor (-37.9%) and Volvo (-25.7%) struggle.

The Dacia Sandero is the best-selling vehicle in Europe for the second straight month.

The brands ranking gets a good shuffle with the Top 5 all outpacing the market. Volkswagen (-13.1%) easily remains in the lead just as Toyota (-1.7%) repeats at a record #2 ahead of BMW (-15.5%) and Audi (-7%). Hyundai (+1%) breaks into the European Top 5 for the very first time at #5 vs. #12 year-to-date, signing the best year-on-year performance in the Top 15. Kia (-1.5%) also shines at #9 vs. #13 so far this year, but Peugeot (-40.4%), Mercedes (-38.3%), Renault (-31.7%) and Skoda (-27.7%) all crumble down. Outside the Top 10, MG (+124.1%), Tesla (+56.9%), Lexus (+19.9%), Suzuki (+12.1%), and Mazda (+10.2%) stand out.

Model-wise, the Dacia Sandero (+7.7%) spectacularly manages to repeat in pole position ahead of the VW Golf (-39%), topping the French and Spanish markets again. The Toyota Yaris (+15.2%) remains in third place, making the podium identical to last month. Dacia also places the Duster at #4 meaning it has two nameplates inside the European Top 4 for the first time ever, its previous best being two in the Top 5 in August 2019. The VW T-Roc (-6.2%) resists well to stay in 5th place, its regularity at the highest level allowing it to climb to #3 year-to-date. The Fiat 500 (+35%) soars 6 spots on July to #7 overall below the VW Polo (-16.9%) down two to #6. The Toyota Corolla (-14.7%) is up four ranks to break into the European Top 10 for the second time after April 2020 at #8. Both the Hyundai Tucson (+36.3%) and Ford Puma (-17.4%) score a second consecutive month (and ever) inside the Top 10 at #9 and #10 respectively. 

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

One year ago: Europe August 2020: BMW, Kia survive worsening market (-17.8%), Peugeot 2008 #1 SUV for the first time

Full August 2021 Top 10 groups, Top 63 All-brands and Top 400 All-models below.