Europe March 2022: Tesla (+76.4%), Kia (+23%), Dacia (+18.3%) impress, two Teslas on podium, market falling -18.8%

The Tesla Model Y ranks #3 in Europe in March.

02/05 update: Now with Top 75 All-brands and Top 405 All-models.

According to preliminary data by ACEA, new car sales in Europe endure a 9th consecutive month in negative and accelerates its fall in March to -18.8% year-on-year and 1,127,077 units as the supply parts shortage deepened because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Q1 2022 tally now stands at 2,753,256, down -10.6% over the same period in 2021. Of the Big 5 markets, the UK (-14.3%) and Germany (-17.5%) do better than the market decline rate whereas France (-19.5%), Italy (-29.7%) and Spain (-30.2%) do worse. Showing a wide variety of evolutions, no less than 9 markets are in positive this month, led by Iceland (+52.3%), Ireland (+40.4%), Romania (+40.2%), Bulgaria (+25.2%) and Slovakia (+14.3%).

In the groups ranking, both the VW Group (-25%) and Stellantis (-30.3%) fall faster than the market while Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi (-18.2%) roughly matches it. Hyundai-Kia (+9.8%) once again stands out with a year-on-year gain, with the BMW Group (-23%) underperforming and the Toyota Group (-10.2%) in great shape. Mercedes (-18%) and Ford Motor (-17.4%) evolve in line with the market. Tesla is estimated to climb a whopping 76.4% year-on-year to almost 42,000 units, a new monthly record.

The Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling vehicle in Europe in March.

Brand-wise, Volkswagen (-29.2%) freefalls whereas Toyota (9.4%) resists at a record 2nd place overall. Mercedes (-22.7%) is up one spot on February to #3 while Audi (-10.2%) is solid and gains four ranks to #4. For its part BMW (-20.5%) remains in 5th position. That’s four German brands in the Top 5. Peugeot (-32.1%) endures the steepest fall in the Top 10 just as Kia (+23%) scores the only year-on-year gain in this same Top 10. Renault (-26.9%) sinks, Ford (-16.5%) performs slightly better than the market and Hyundai (-0.7%) is almost stable. Below, only Tesla (+76.4%) up to #13, Dacia (+18.3%), MG (+148%), Cupra (+173.2%), Porsche (+13.5%) and DS (+20.3%) post year-on-year lifts in the remainder of the Top 30.

Over in the models ranking, as the end of quarter is here and the UK market holds a disproportionate share of European sales as a whole, we have a first ever two Teslas on the podium: like in December, the Model 3 (-3.1%) is the best-selling vehicle in Europe and the new Tesla Model Y is up 32 spots on February to land at a stellar #3. In the more realistic Q1 2022 ranking, the Tesla Model 3 stands at #19 and the Model Y at #32. In between the two in March, the Peugeot 208 (-17.3%) almost matches the market to remain in 2nd place and cements its YTD lead. Leader last month, the VW Golf (-36.1%) is in complete freefall at #4 and the Dacia Sandero (+11.9%) defies the market decline to rank #5 and #2 year-to-date. The Ford Puma (-9.6%) is up 9 ranks on February to a new record 7th place, while the Hyundai Tucson (+2.2%) resists to stay at #10.  

Previous month: Europe February 2022: Market down -6.7%, Hyundai, Kia shine, VW Golf back to #1

One year ago: Europe March 2021: Peugeot, Fiat, Citroen headline market back up 62.7%

Full March 2022 Top 10 groups, Top 75 All-brands and Top 405 All-models below.