Sweden Sales : 2021

Registrations for December were -20% but +3% YTD. A change in an incentive policy (downward) for hybrid cars from the 1st of April and an increase of incentive for full electric cars has created some volatility with brands affected by the change. 

The semiconductor shortage hasn't helped in almost eroding all the registration gains made earlier in the year. In the end sales did not get near pre-covid numbers, being about 50,000 units short once 2021 had bade farewell. 

The '+/-' column below is comparing market share variance for 2021 with 2020. Volvo is still the best-selling brand here, with VW losing more registrations than Volvo managed. VW had been closing in slowly year by year but for now at least, a reversal. 

There is a sizable drop back to Kia and Toyota at third and fourth respectively but they have closed the gap to some extent during 2021. MG is moving on up, not surprising considering the increased incentives on offer. Volvo's Polestar electric brand is still improving while the Geely owned Lynk & Co (Volvo's owner also) started quite strongly. The 01 model it's selling has much in common with the Volvo XC40. 

Point of interest: Volvo has been the top selling brand every year since 1958. How has Volvo managed to do that? It must be due in no small measure to local support for a company that adds much to the economy. Even though now it is foreign owned, it is still a valuable contributor. It makes sense to support local manufacturing regardless of who owns it and Swedes get that. I can think of only one exception to that (in another country). 

Data source: Bilsweden.