Europe January 2022: Toyota (+10.3%), Kia (+36.2%) defy market down -2.4%, Sandero #1, Yaris Cross in Top 10

Kia sales are up 36.2% year-on-year in a market down -2.4%.

26/02 update: Now with Top 50 models.

01/03 update: Now with Top 410 All-models.

26/03 update: Now with Top 70 All-brands.

New car sales in Europe (EU+EFTA+UK) dip down -2.4% year-on-year in January to 822,423 units according to ACEA. This is the lowest January volume since 1991. The Big Five markets had very uneven results, depending on the level of year-ago Covid lockdowns. the UK is up 27.5%, Germany is up 8.5%, Spain up 1% but France is down -18.6% and Italy down -19.7%. Among other markets, Slovakia (+72.6%), Romania (+55.5%), Iceland (+52.7%), Cyprus (+32%), Latvia (+20.3%) and Bulgaria (+15%) shine through.

Looking at the groups ranking, the Volkswagen Group (-3.7%) almost matches the market to easily stay on top while Stellantis endures a -12.4% fall at #2. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi edges down -4.7% but the winner of the month is, once again, Hyundai-Kia (+35.8%) which have managed to negotiate the microchip shortage unscathed. The Toyota Group (+13.5%) is also in great shape at #5, distancing the BMW Group (-3.7%) and Daimler (-11.4%). Ford Motors sinks -16.9%.

The Dacia Sandero is #1 in Europe for the third time.

Brand-wise, Volkswagen (-6.2%) drops a little faster than the market as opposed to Toyota (+10.3%) up to a record 2nd place above Peugeot (-15%). BMW (-14.4%), Mercedes (-10.1%) and Skoda (-6.6%) follow ahead of Audi (+8%) as the VW Group prioritises its high-margin models in the microchip crisis (Porsche is also up 41%). Renault (-13.8%) tumbles down 6 spots on December to #8 while Kia (+36.2%) easily scores the biggest gain in the Top 10 at #9. Ford (-17%) closes the Top 10. Below, notice Honda (+53.3%), Mini (+46.1%), Hyundai (+31.7%), Mazda (+23.6%), Dacia (+18.9%) and DS (+18.7%) all posting fantastic upticks.

Over in the models ranking, the Dacia Sandero (+10.3%) is the best-seller across Europe for the third time after July and August 2021, it is followed by the Peugeot 208 (-6.5%) and 2008 (-2.4%). Still leader last year but much weakened recently, the VW Golf (-4.9%) ends the month in 4th place just above its stablemate the VW T-Roc (-1.6%). The Skoda Octavia (-2.6%) ranks much higher than its FY2021 level (#17) for the 2nd month in a row whereas the Renault Clio (-11%) is down to #7 vs. #3 in December and #4 over FY2021. The Toyota Yaris Cross is up 18 spots on December to break into the European Top 10 for the first time at #8. It outsells the Yaris (-43.3%) by just under 2,200 sales. The Ford Puma (+17.1%) is up to a record #9, score its third Top 10 finish after ranking #10 in July and August 2021. The Toyota Corolla (+12.8%) rounds out the Top 10 in emphatic manner. Notice also the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka up 10 ranks on December to slide into the Top 20 at #19 and the Kia Sportage (+33%) up 56 spots to #23. The Renault Arkana is the only recent launch in the Top 50, up to a record #38.

Previous post: Europe Full Year 2021: Toyota, Hyundai, Kia can’t help market down -1.5%

One year ago: Europe January 2021: Sales fall -26% to lowest since 1982, Toyota up to record #3, Yaris scores first ever win

Full January 2022 Top 10 groups, Top 70 All-brands and Top 410 All-models below.