Europe July 2024: Volvo up 38.8%, Kia Sportage slides into Top 5

The Kia Sportage is up to 5th place Europe-wide in July.

27/08 update: Now with Top 93 All brands and Top 509 All models.

According to data by JATO Dynamics, the European new car market (28 countries) is up 1.5% year-on-year in July to 1.03 million units. The year-to-date tally is up 4.2% to just under 7.9 million. Among the Top 5 markets, Italy is up 4.7%, Spain up 3.4% and the UK up 2.4%, but France (-2.3%) and Germany (-2.1%) are both down. Best performing countries include Poland (+19%), Portugal (+27%) and Slovakia (+12%). SUVs climb 6% year-on-year to 554,000 units and 54% share, a new record. Year-to-date SUV sales are up 5% to 4.2 million and 53% share. 139,244 BEVs found a buyer in July, off -6% year-on-year and leading to a 13.5% share vs. 14.6% in July 2023. Of note is BMW (+35%) taking the lead of the BEV brands ranking with 14,869 sales vs. 14,561 for Tesla.

The Dacia Sandero is the most popular vehicle in Europe by far.

Brand-wise, Volkswagen (-3.4%) recedes but easily keeps on top, followed by Toyota (+15.6%) and BMW (+13.4%) both in stellar shape. Skoda (+4.3%) is more muted but reclaims the #4 spot it holds year-to-date. Mercedes (+12.7%) is very strong and up two ranks on last month to #5. Peugeot (+9.4%) advances to #7 and Hyundai (+2.1%) also beats the market at #10. In contrast Renault (-6%), Kia (-4%) and Audi (-1.9%) fall into negative territory. Below, Dacia (+11.3%), Citroen (+5.6%), Opel/Vauxhall (+2.7%) and Seat (+2.2%) all outpace the overall growth rate but the best performer is Volvo (+38.8%) pushed by the success of the new EX30. Notice also BYD (+104.9%) breaking into the Top 30 for the first time at #30.

The Ford Capri makes its appearance in the European charts in July.

Over in the models charts, the Dacia Sandero surges 33.7% year-on-year to cement its YTD leadership. It ranked #1 in France, #1 in Spain and #2 in Italy. The VW T-Roc (+5.2%), #1 a year ago in July 2023, is #2 and overtakes the Renault Clio (-4.8%) to snap the third spot YTD. The Toyota Yaris Cross (+46.6%) soars to #3, its third ever podium finish after October 2023 and January 2024. The Dacia Duster (+29.4%) climbs to #4 overall, its highest since June 2022 when it also ranked #4. The Kia Sportage (+14.8%) leaps up 12 ranks on last month to #5, smashing its ranking record with a previous best of #9 hit in April 2022 and January 2024. The Toyota Yaris (+10.7%) also shines and is up 8 spots on June to #6. The recovery period is over for the VW Golf (-12.8%) down to #11 vs. #2 year-to-date. 

This month we welcome the Mini Aceman (#417), MG Cyberster (#427), Alfa Romeo Junior (#439) and Ford Capri (#472).

Previous month: Europe June 2024: Toyota (+16.4%), Skoda (+12.1%) stand out, Dacia Sandero #1 YTD

One year ago: Europe July 2023: VW T-Roc signs third ever win, market up 16.5%

Full July 2024 Top 93 All brands and Top 509 All models below.