Europe Top 50 Models : 2021 (Q3)

The chart below is coded by colour into Europe, Asia and the US in terms where brand names are associated with, not who owns them. The 2021 figure is for nine months and two full previous years are included as a reference only. 

The VW Golf has been the darling of the European car scene for so many years but it is in decline, no doubt due to the pressure exerted by the SUV revolution. The Toyota Yaris is less affected and closing the gap with some haste. 

The Ford Puma has been a success for the company and although much has been made of the Tesla 3 being the top selling model in September, it is still yet to crack the top 20 in 2021. Sustained sales count, not the yo-yo variety. By the end of the year, we will see if last month has more substance to it. 

Data source: JATO.

China Sales : 2021 (Jan-Sep)

They say the devil is in the detail. The fact that imported models do not feature here can affect how some brands are portrayed. In some cases, smaller foreign brands don't appear at all as they import all their cars. In other instances, a marque imports a reasonable number of vehicles while assembling others, in which case the figure here will be far too low. 

Then I read some cars that are made in China and exported are included in the sales statistics below. If that's the case, the data is somewhat compromised, depending on the scale. Data should not be manipulated to enhance the performance of a local manufacturing operation at the expense of objective information. That is so odd, I find it hard to believe.    

The market was -9% YTD and down 19% in September with the chip shortage affecting registrations. That makes five months of consecutive decline. The '+/-' column below is comparing market share variance for nine months of 2021 with a full 2020. So which brands were able to improve their share? The colour shadings show which way the wind is blowing. 

VW is well ahead fell by some way this year in share. Toyota is steadily making its way up the list as is Changan. Tesla has arrived and moved quickly got into its stride. I wonder how that will go down with local officials? Cos has moved from obscurity in 2020 very quickly. 'Cause it's owned by Changan so one would think that's helped the brand get such an upswing in sales. 

Data source: CAAM.

In case you don't recognise it, it's a Changan Raeton CC

Bosnia-Herzegovina Brand Sales : 2021 (Jan-Sep)

Registrations for September were -1 but +14% YTD. That isn't enough to reach recent annual numbers - and by some distance - but at least an improvement. The '+/-' column below is comparing market hare variance for nine months of 2021 with a full 2020. 

Škoda leads the way but not quite as convincingly. Toyota in particular has been doing well and although jumping three places, is some way off the next rung on the ladder. Kia has been making the most of stock shortages to press hard and here it is no exception. It can push exports knowing that a heavily protected domestic market is safe in the meantime.