Germany July 2023: VW Golf #1 for first time in 5 months, sales up 18.1%

The VW Golf reclaims the top spot for the first time since last February.

243,277 new cars hit German roads in July, a 18.1% year-on-year improvement. We however remain far below pre-pandemic levels at -26.9% on July 2019 (332,788). The year-to-date volume is now up 13.6% to 1,640,147 sales. Volkswagen (+8.3%) trails its home market with 17.8% share vs. 18.5% so far this year, but both Mercedes (+29.4%) and Audi (+22.5%) score solid gains on the podium. In fact the entire Top 10 brands are in the same order as year-to-date. Seat (+45.9%) for once posts the largest gain followed by Ford (+44.2%), Hyundai (+13%) and BMW (+9.4%). Toyota (+7.2%), Opel (+5.8%) and Skoda (+3.7%) are weaker. Below, Smart (+637%), MG (+235.2%), Tesla (+229.8%), Mazda (+157.3%), Renault (+53.1%), Cupra (+29.2%) and Mini (+29.1%) are among the best performers.

It has been reported that this month Volkswagen sold more EVs than Tesla in July, making it look like it was the first time this happened. While it is true that Tesla (+229.8%) at 3,905 sales is below Volkswagen (+110%) at 6,336, this is happening in a traditionally low month for the American manufacturer and it was also the case a year ago in July 2022 when Volkswagen sold 3,017 units vs. 1,184 for Tesla.

Meanwhile the VW Golf (-3.8%) manages to claw its way back to the models charts’ pole position for the first time since last February, holding onto the YTD top spot with a little less than 2,000 unit advantage over the #2, the VW T-Roc (+9.7%). The VW Tiguan (+11.5%) stays in third place above the Mini lineup (+29.1%), VW Passat (+15.6%) and Opel Corsa (-14%). The VW ID.4/ID.5 (+151.8%) drops one rank on last month to #7 and now ranks #11 year-to-date vs. #27 over the Full Year 2022. The Mercedes C-Class (+92.5%) and Fiat 500 lineup (+22.5%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10. Notice also the BMW X1 (+193.7%), Opel Astra (+184.3%) and Ford Focus (+80.3%) all posting fantastic gains.

Previous month: Germany June 2023: VW T-Roc repeats at #1, market up 24.7%

One year ago: Germany July 2022: Market falls another -12.9%, Dacia Porsche Toyota and Kia among gainers

Full July 2023 Top 60 All brands and Top 332 All models below.