Netherlands August 2021: Kia and Niro dominate, Lynk & Co 01 up to #12

The Lynk & Co 01 is up to #12 in the Netherlands in August.

The Dutch new car market sinks -16.8% year-on-year in August to 21.877 units, leading to a year-to-date tally off -3.4% to 211.460, making the Netherlands one of only a few countries in the world where YTD volumes are below last year’s. Note August 2021 is down -36.1% on the pre-pandemic level of August 2019 and -28% year-to-date. Kia (+6.6%) braves the negative context to soar to 12% share and sees a 5th consecutive monthly win rewarded with the year-to-date pole position, stretching past Volkswagen (-1.4%). Toyota (+1%) also manages an uptick at #3 but it’s Skoda (+74.4%) that sports the largest  gain in the Top 10 – and Top 25, remaining at #4 with 6.8% share. Hyundai (+20.1%) is the only additional gainer in the Top 10 just as Mercedes (-13.2%) resists ok but Peugeot (-44.3%), Opel (-22.8%) and Ford (-20.5%) falter. Chinese newcomer Lynk & Co breaks into the Top 20 at #20 with a strong 1.4% share this month just as Polestar (+350%) and Jeep (+15.9%) post the only upticks in the remainder of the Top 30.

Over in the models ranking, the Kia Niro (+1..1%) maintains a solid grip on the top spot with 5.4% share, cementing its year-to-date domination at 3.2% of the market. The Toyota Yaris (+105.5%) more than doubles its sales year-on-year to edge up one spot on July to #2 overall vs. #4 so far this year. The VW Polo (-17.4%) is knocked down to #3 ahead of the Kia Picanto (-11.1%) remaining at #4. The Skoda Enyaq rallies back up five spots on last month to #5 and now ranks #13 year-to-date, it distances the Ford Mustang Mach-E down one rank to #6. The Skoda Octavia (+77.7%) and Kia Stonic (+75.2%) also impress in the remainder of the Top 10, but the most intriguing performance this month is delivered by the Lynk & Co 01 up 39 spots on July to land at a surprising 12th place overall.

Previous month: Netherlands July 2021: Market back down -22.4%, Kia Niro now #1 YTD, Ford Mustang Mach-E up to #5

One year ago: Netherlands August 2020: Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Volvo defy market down -21.5%

Full August 2021 Top 48 All-brands and Top 265 All-models below.