Segment bounces back slowly as Chrysler Pacifica sales continue to grow
Sales in the US Minivan segment rose by 2.7% to 126,145 in the first quarter of 2018, a welcome bounce-back from the 13% sales decline in 2017. Although it’s impossible to tell for sure, the segment seems to have reached a new equilibrium of around 500,000 cars a year, on par with what it was 20 years ago, but far from the almost one million [Read more…]
Segment continues its steady decline despite sales growth from new Buick and Kia models
Sales in the Large segment fell by 12.5% to 91,878 in the first quarter of 2018, continuing on from the 11.5% decline registered in 2017. With the Toyota Avalon set to be the only meaningful arrival this year the segment is in for another tough year. In fact, with many of the models currently on sale unlikely to be replaced, and no new entrants on [Read more…]
After discussing the US auto brand sales ranking for May, let’s zoom in on the models ranking.
After looking at the April 2018 car brand sales in Europe, let’s look at individual model sales. The Volkswagen Golf remains unbeatable and is as usual followed by three subcompacts, with the Renault Clio as its closest rival for the fifth time in seven months, just ahead of the new Volkswagen Polo and the new Ford Fiesta, both of which outperform the Clio in terms of year-over-year growth. In fact, the Fiesta is the best performer in the top-10 with a growth rate of almost a third on its slowest April in decades, just as the new generation was arriving in showrooms. The Volkswagen Tiguan is the best selling crossover again as the Nissan Qashqai suffers from a fallback after its excellent performance in March. [Read more…]
European sales of passenger cars rebounded strongly in April 2018 after the first loss of the year in March. 1,34 million cars were sold in Europe this month, an increase of 9,7% on April 2017, when sales declined 7,2% on a 19,8% loss in the UK market due to an increase in the Vehicle Excise Duty that month. Accordingly, the UK is up by 10,4% this April, its first year-over-year improvement since March 2017 when sales were pulled forward in anticipation of the tax hike. Whereas the UK is traditionally the #1 European market in March, as it was this year as well, in April it is down to #4 in terms of volume, behind Germany (+8%), France (+9%) and Italy (+6,5%). Spain even outgrew the UK in April with a gain of 12,3%.
After discussing the US auto brand sales ranking for April, let’s zoom in on the models ranking.
Another double digit gain for domestic passenger car sales in China which show no sign of slowing down as many analysts expected. A total of 1,9 million cars were sold in April, an increase of 14,2% over the same month in 2017. Year-to-date sales are now up 6,2% to 7,9 million cars. The Seasonally Adjusted Annualized selling Rate in April is stable at 24,8 million, similar to January and March and up from 21,2 million in April of last year. [Read more…]
After looking at the March 2018 car brand sales in Europe, let’s look at individual model sales. After having its long-time streak on top of the ranking broken exactly one year ago when the Ford Fiesta briefly finished in the top spot, the Volkswagen Golf seems stronger than ever with a lead over over 14.000 sales over its closest rival as it’s the fastest growing nameplate in the top-15. Traditionally strong in March due to its sales leadership in the UK market, the Fiesta is back up into second place ahead of the Renault Clio but not with the kind of margin we’re used to, especially considering the little Ford is still brand new and the Clio is starting to age. [Read more…]