Because it is the third largest automotive market in the world behind China and the United States, we will analyze car sales in Europe during 2018, which remained stable, since there were 15.6 million vehicles sold, only 346 more than in 2017.
This small growth was enough for the European market to see its best result since 2007 when it reached its peak with 16.02 million vehicles. A very interesting fact, which shows consumer preferences, is that diesel vehicles registered their lowest market share since 2001.
By countries, the solid results of Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands stood out, while the United Kingdom, Italy, and Sweden had a decrease in their car sales. Likewise, Poland, Slovakia, Luxembourg, and Lithuania recorded record volume levels, while it was the best year since 2007 for Spain and Estonia, and the best year since 2008 for Romania, Hungary, Croatia, and Latvia.
It also stands out that most of the registered vehicles were powered by gasoline engines which represented 57 percent of all sales. This result marks an increase of 7 points in the market share in 2017 and an increase of 12 points in the last 10 years.
Regarding alternative energies, electric cars and plug-in hybrid cars registered 944,800 units sold and a market share of 6.1 percent. In particular, most of the growth was driven by pure electric vehicles, which were sold more than hybrid plug-in vehicles.
Despite growing at a slower pace than in previous years, the shift from traditional cars to SUVs continued in 2018. In total, 5.4 million SUVs were registered in Europe throughout the year, 19 percent more than in 2017.
By models, the Volkswagen Golf was once again the best-selling car in Europe, however, it registered a drop of 8 percent, mainly due to a large drop in its sales of diesel cars.
The table of the most sold cars in Europe during 2018:
2018 Position |
2017 Position |
Model | 2018 Sales | Variation |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Volkswagen Golf | 502,752 | -8.8% |
2 | 2 | Renault Clio | 365,508 | -0.7% |
3 | 3 | Volkswagen Polo | 313,449 | 5.3% |
4 | 5 | Ford Fiesta | 274,455 | 4.9% |
5 | 7 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 258,491 | 4.8% |
6 | 4 | Nissan Qashqai | 252,705 | -7.0% |
7 | 8 | Skoda Octavia | 240,645 | -1.0% |
8 | 6 | Peugeot 208 | 235,357 | -5.2% |
9 | 13 | Dacia Sandero | 225.261 | 3.7% |
10 | 9 | Opel Corsa | 222,953 | -7.7% |
11 | 15 | Citroen C3 | 222,686 | 5.0% |
12 | 12 | Renault Captur | 215,786 | -1.4% |
13 | 17 | Toyota Yaris | 214,499 | 6.1% |
14 | 23 | Peugeot 3008 | 210,088 | 19.5% |
15 | 11 | Ford Focus | 210,083 | -11.9% |
16 | 16 | Volkswagen Passat | 193,049 | -8.4% |
17 | 25 | Dacia Duster | 192.194 | 15.3% |
18 | 21 | Peugeot 2008 | 179,742 | -1.5% |
19 | 19 | Skoda Fabia | 177,979 | -3.7% |
21 | 14 | Renault Mégane | 176,276 | -16.9% |
22 | 18 | Fiat Panda | 173,152 | -9.0% |
22 | 10 | Opel Astra | 168,070 | -30.4% |
23 | 22 | Fiat 500 | 162,604 | -7.7% |
24 | 28 | Ford Kuga | 160,020 | 1.4% |
25 | 20 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 159,492 | -13.6% |
New Opel Astra: Sculpted and engineered for the compact class*Spirited: Athletic sculptured design promises a thrilling driving experience*Agile: New mechatronic chassis raises bar...read more
It was in 1810 that Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot turned their father’s cereal mill into a steel foundry and took the Peugeot family into the industrial era. Now 200 years later, a...read more
SKODA has boosted the appeal of the award-winning Superb Estate with a new variant designed to offer outstanding grip in the most demanding winter conditions. With unpredictable weather on the way...read more
The new Hyundai i20 features a sharper design, a spacious cabin, and a mild hybrid powertrain that boosts efficiency and performance. Hyundai has given its i20...read more
In the course of its history, BMW has repeatedly provided impulses for the further development of personal mobility through innovative vehicle and drive concepts. Last year's special exhibition ‘...read more
Peugeot reveals details of the new Peugeot 508 to be launched in 2011. The Peugeot 508 introduces the Marque’s new design look which has evolved from the stylistic...read more
During the Chicago Auto Show last February, Volkswagen's design chief, Klaus Bischoff, pointed out how different the new Volkswagen Jetta is compared to the Volkswagen Golf, with whom he shares the...read more
Ford has unveiled a new concept vehicle that showcases the potential of the F-150 Lightning, the company’s first all-electric pickup truck. The Switchgear is a...read more
A new world-beating engine, more equipment and a stylish new look – all at a lower price. The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe looks too good to be true. But buyers looking for a big, efficient...read more
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SL features the limited-edition SL550 Night Edition, a Magno Night black car design with a luxury black leather interior. Only 100 of these expensive...read more