Europe October 2021: Stellantis topples VW Group, Hyundai up 11%, Peugeot 2008 #1 in market falling -29.3%

The Peugeot 2008 is the best-selling vehicle in Europe in October.

6/12 update: Now with Top 65 All-brands and Top 403 All-models.

29/11 update: Now with Top 50 models.

Preliminary data from ACEA shows a situation worsening in the European new car market (EU+UK+EFTA) down a painful -29.3% year-on-year in October to just 798.693 units. This is the lowest October volume since ACEA started tracking European data in the 1990s. The year-to-date tally is now up just 2.7% to 9.960.706. As a result we have revised our 2021 Forecast for Europe down to 11.7 million units, a -2% drop on 2020. 3 of the big 5 markets fall faster than the overall rate, with Italy freefalling -35.7%, Germany down -34.9% and France off -30.7%, while Spain is down -20.5% and the UK down -24.6%. Among smaller markets, Ireland (+16.7%), Iceland (+6.5%) and Cyprus (+5.2%) are the only year-on-year gainers, with Greece (-5.4%), Slovenia (-7.2%) and Croatia (-8.7%) keeping their fall into the single-digits. The worst performers are Lithuania (-54.8%), Austria (-39.2%) and Belgium (-35.3%).

We have a big event in the groups ranking: Stellantis (-31.6%) overtakes the VW Group (-41.9%) for the first time since the group was formed. The VW Group is suffering from the microchip crisis more than the rest of manufacturers on the continent, with its main factory in Wolfsburg Germany being paused multiple times in recent months. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi (-30.6%) almost matches the market in third place above a splendid Hyundai-Kia (+6.7%) going completely against the devastated environment to sign the only year-on-year gain among groups. The BMW Group (-22.1%) and Toyota Group (-23.5%) both resist ok in context, with Daimler (-34.3%) and Ford (-41.4%) in freefall.

Looking at brands, Volkswagen (-40.8%) tumbles down but easily stays #1, while Peugeot (-32.3%) rallies back up five spots on last month to clinch the 2nd place both in October and year-to-date. Renault (-35.9%) stays in third place above Mercedes (-37.6%) in trouble and BMW (-21.4%) faring better. Below Toyota (-26.4%) down four ranks on September to #6, Hyundai (+10.8%) and Kia (+7.6%) post the only upticks in the Top 10 and 20 but drop to #7 and #8 respectively vs. #6 and #5 last month. Ford (-43%) and Fiat (-30.6%) painfully round out the Top 10. Further down, Cupra (+372.1%), Tesla (+108.2%), MG (+86%), Polestar (+69.9%), Porsche (+12.8%) and Smart (+4.9%) manage year-on-year lifts. Among carmakers keeping their fall below the market rate, Mitsubishi is at -19.9%, Mazda is off -21%, Suzuki falls -23.7%, Dacia is at -23.1% and Volvo at -23.9%. Reversely Skoda (-50.3%), Audi (-45.9%) and Land Rover (-45.1%) all struggle.

Over in the models ranking we have a new leader: the Peugeot 2008 (+8.1%) surfs on its success in France and Spain where it ranks #1 for the month to become the first SUV to top the overall European charts. It does it easily too, with a 4,500 unit margin over the #2, the Renault Clio (-36.7%). The Peugeot 208 (-27.4%) completes a podium 100% French. The Dacia Sandero (-11.1%) limits its fall and dips one spot on September to #4, it distances the Fiat Panda (-33.7%) up 25 ranks to #5 and the Ford Focus (-16.9%) up 19 to #6. Another outstanding month for the Hyundai Tucson (+58.1%), lodging a 4th consecutive Top 10 finish thanks to the new generation and equalling its record ranking at #7. The Fiat 500 (+6%), VW T-Roc (-20.9%) and Citroen C3 (-29.4%) round out the Top 10. The Renault Arkana (#42) tops recent launches above the Dacia Spring (#44), Skoda Enyaq (#45) and VW ID.4 (#50).

Previous month: Europe September 2021: Tesla Model 3 best-seller in market down -25.2%

One year ago: Europe October/November 2020: Recovery cut short with -7.2% and -13.7% respective drops

Full October 2021 Top 10 groups, Top 65 All-brands and Top 403 All-models below.