The results of car sales in 2017 are already out and, in general, this is good news. Despite a sharp drop in December, the European market grew by 3.4% compared to the same period in 2016.
What are the 2017 winners and losers?
Below is the table of the 10 best sellers in the European market during 2017.
| Position (in 2016) | Model | Sales (variation compared to 2016) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (1) | Volkswagen Golf | 546 250 (-3.4%) |
| 2 (3) | Renault Clio | 369 874 (6.7%) |
| 3 (2) | Volkswagen Polo | 352 858 (-10%) |
| 4 (7) | Nissan Qashqai | 292 375 (6.1%) |
| 5 (4) | Ford Fiesta | 269 178 (-13.5%) |
| 6 (8) | Skoda Octavia | 267 770 (-0.7%) |
| 7 (14) | Volkswagen Tiguan | 267 669 (34.9%) |
| 8 (10) | Ford Focus | 253 609 (8.0%) |
| 9 (9) | Peugeot 208 | 250 921 (-3.1%) |
| 10 (5) | Opel Astra | 243 442 (-13.3%) |
Despite the drop in sales, the Volkswagen Golf remains number one on the chart, seemingly unfazed. The Renault Clio rises one place, swapping with the Volkswagen Polo, which was affected by the transition to the new generation.
Another Volkswagen, the Tiguan, also stands out, reaching the Top 10, with an impressive rise of 34.9%, being the first real threat to the Nissan Qashqai's dominance in compact SUVs. The biggest drop in the positions in the table was led by the Opel Astra, which dropped five places, being one step away from being in the 10 best sellers.
And how do these numbers translate from country to country?
Portugal
Let's start at home — Portugal — where the podium is occupied only by French models. Are you not?
- Renault Clio (12 743)
- Peugeot 208 (6833)
- Renault Megane (6802)
Germany
The biggest European market is also Volkswagen's home. The domain is overwhelming. The Tiguan showing a remarkable commercial performance.- Volkswagen Golf (178 590)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (72 478)
- Volkswagen Passat (70 233)
Austria
Domain of the German Volkswagen group. Highlight for the performance of Skoda Octavia, which rose several positions during the year.
- Volkswagen Golf (14244)
- Skoda Octavia (9594)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (9095)
Belgium
Sandwiched between France and Germany, Belgium is split between the two, with a Korean surprise named Tucson finishing third.
- Volkswagen Golf (14304)
- Renault Clio (11313)
- Hyundai Tucson (10324)
Croatia
Small market, but also open to greater variety. In 2016 the market was dominated by the Nissan Qashqai and Toyota Yaris.- Skoda Octavia (2448)
- Renault Clio (2285)
- Volkswagen Golf (2265)
Denmark
The only country where Peugeot tops a sales chart.
- Peugeot 208 (9838)
- Volkswagen Up (7232)
- Nissan Qashqai (7014)
Slovakia
Hat-trick by Skoda in Slovakia. Octavia taking the lead by just 12 units.
- Skoda Octavia (5337)
- Skoda Fabia (5325)
- Skoda Rapid (3846)
Slovenia
The Renault Clio's leadership is justified, perhaps, because it is also produced in Slovenia.- Renault Clio (3828)
- Volkswagen Golf (3638)
- Skoda Octavia (2737)
Spain
Predictable, isn't it? Nuestros hermanos showing the color of their shirt. Will SEAT Arona be able to give the brand the hat trick in 2018?
- SEAT Leon (35 272)
- SEAT Ibiza (33 705)
- Renault Clio (21 920)
Estonia
Trend for larger cars in the Estonian market. Yes, it is the Toyota Avensis that is in second place.- Skoda Octavia (1328)
- Toyota Avensis (893)
- Toyota Rav4 (871)
Finland
Skoda Octavia leads yet another sales chart.
- Skoda Octavia (5692)
- Nissan Qashqai (5059)
- Volkswagen Golf (3989)
France
Surprise… they're all French. The real surprise is the presence of the Peugeot 3008 on the podium, usurping the Citroën C3's place.- Renault Clio (117,473)
- Peugeot 208 (97 629)
- Peugeot 3008 (74 282)
Greece
The only European country where the Toyota Yaris dominates. Surprise comes from the second place of the Opel Corsa, removing the Micra from the podium.
- Toyota Yaris (5508)
- Opel Corsa (3341)
- Fiat Panda (3139)
Netherlands
As a curiosity, last year the number one was the Volkswagen Golf. The Renault Clio was stronger this year.- Renault Clio (6046)
- Volkswagen up! (5673)
- Volkswagen Golf (5663)
Hungary
How is Vitara's performance justified? The fact that it is produced in Hungary must have something to do with it.
- Suzuki Vitara (8782)
- Skoda Octavia (6104)
- Opel Astra (4301)
Ireland
It's the second year in a row that Tucson has dominated the Irish market, and Golf switches places with Qashqai.
- Hyundai Tucson (4907)
- Volkswagen Golf (4495)
- Nissan Qashqai (4197)
Italy
Was there any doubt that the podium was not Italian? Full domain of Panda. And yes, it's not a mistake — it's a Lancia in second place.
- Fiat Panda (144 533)
- Lancia Ypsilon (60 326)
- Fiat 500 (58 296)
latvia
Small market, but still a first place for the Nissan Qashqai.
- Nissan Qashqai (803)
- Volkswagen Golf (679)
- Kia Sportage (569)
Lithuania
Lithuanians really like the Fiat 500. It not only won first place, it is followed by the biggest 500X.
- Fiat 500 (3488)
- Fiat 500X (1231)
- Skoda Octavia (1043)
Luxembourg
The small country is another triumph for Volkswagen. It would have been an all-German podium had the Renault Clio not overtaken the Audi A3.- Volkswagen Golf (1859)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (1352)
- Renault Clio (1183)
Norway
High incentives for the purchase of trams allow you to see the BMW i3 reach the podium. And even Golf, the outstanding leader, achieves this result thanks, above all, to e-Golf.
- Volkswagen Golf (11 620)
- BMW i3 (5036)
- Toyota Rav4 (4821)
Poland
Czech dominance in Poland with Skoda putting Fabia and Octavia in the top two, with a slim margin separating the two.- Skoda Fabia (18 989)
- Skoda Octavia (18876)
- Opel Astra (15 971)
United Kingdom
The British have always been big fans of Ford. Fiesta gets its only first place here.
- Ford Fiesta (94 533)
- Volkswagen Golf (74 605)
- Ford Focus (69 903)
Czech Republic
Hat-trick, the second. Skoda dominates at home. In the Top 10, five of the models are Skoda.- Skoda Octavia (14 439)
- Skoda Fabia (12 277)
- Skoda Rapid (5959)
Romania
In Romania be Romanian… or something like that. Dacia, the Romanian brand, dominates events here.
- Dacia Logan (17 192)
- Dacia Duster (6791)
- Dacia Sandero (3821)
Sweden
Natural order reestablished after the Golf was the best seller in 2016.
- Volvo XC60 (24 088)
- Volvo S90/V90 (22 593)
- Volkswagen Golf (18 213)
Switzerland
Another first place for Skoda, with the podium being dominated by the Volkswagen group
- Skoda Octavia (10 010)
- Volkswagen Golf (8699)
- Volkswagen Tiguan (6944)
Source: JATO Dynamics and Focus2Move