Germany March 2023: VW T-Roc signs third ever monthly win, market up 16.6%

The VW T-Roc is the most popular vehicle in Germany in March.

New car sales in Germany finally get some traction in March at +16.6% year-on-year to 281,361 units. However, dampening this enthusiasm is the fact that March 2022 was off a painful -17.5% on the year prior, so we are not even catching up with the March 2021 figure. Year-to-date, the German market is up 6.5% to 666,818. From a low base, Volkswagen surges 29.5% but its market share, at 17.7%, is well below its YTD level of 19%. It’s the same story for Mercedes (+38.1%) at 10% share vs. 10.7% so far this year. Audi (+27.3%) climbs to 9.8% of the market, its highest share since the 10.6% it hit in July 2018. Skoda (+30.9%) is the only additional Top 10 member to outpace the market and remains at #5. Tesla (+8.2%) is down one spot on February to #9. Further down, Lynk & Co (+356.4%), MG (+270.8%), Alfa Romeo (+150.7%) and Suzuki (+112.8%) are among the biggest gainers.

Model-wise, the VW T-Roc (+125.9%) roars into pole position for the third time in the nameplate’s history at home after October 2021 and August 2022. The T-Roc overtakes the Tiguan (+14.4%) to now rank #2 year-to-date. The VW Golf (-4.1%) continues its race to the bottom with just 2.6% share vs. 3.1% so far this year, that’s however good enough for a 2nd place for the month. The Tesla Model Y (+125.4%) drops two ranks on last month to #4 while the Opel Corsa (+64.6%) also shows real strength and rises to #5. Four of the five remaining Top 10 models beat the market: the Skoda Octavia rallies back up 323.7% on a dismal year-ago result, with the Mercedes C-Class (+38.5%), Mini range (+34%) and Audi A4 (+30.6%) also strong. Below, notice the VW ID.3 (+279.1%), and ID.4/ID.5 (+213.1%) roaring up and the GWM Funky Cat up to 162 sales.

Previous month: Germany February 2023: VW Golf and Tesla Model Y dominate in another disappointing month (+2.8%)

One year ago: Germany March 2022: Tesla Model 3 #2, Cupra Formentor #4, market off -17.5%

Full March 2023 Top 60 All brands and Top XXX All models below.