UK Truck Registrations : 2024

Truck registrations in the UK have been going well and 2024 was also a good year, despite a 3% dip in the total. There aren't many brands involved - ten in all - with most being European. 

The leader is DAF Trucks (picture above) which is how the SMMT names it but I've gone with its UK name, Leyland DAF. The vehicles are sourced from the UK plant in Leyland, Lancashire, and from Europe. It's the third consecutive year market share has fallen, albeit only slightly on each occasion. It has maintained five digit sales volume every year since 2014.

Then comes some heavy hitters from Europe before the first of two Japanese brands in the form of Isuzu and Fuso, the latter owned by Mercedes-Benz. In between them is Dennis Eagle (pic below), a UK based maker of waste management trucks. The 956 registrations was the best result since 2013 and the second best this century. 

Data source: SMMT.

UK Bus Registrations : 2024

By the term bus, it surely includes vans with seats with the vans over a certain size. Hence, we see Ford and Peugeot leading the way in 2024. I'm interested in the full sized bus but that is how the data is supplied. 

Registrations were up an impressive 70% but still only the best year since 2016. The 'Diff' figure below is for market share change so any brand in yellow would have increased volume but not kept up with the surging market. Overall, the best result since 2017 when nearly 8,800 were registered. I'm not sure why there was a dramatic fall after that. At least it's returning to better numbers.  

Of the local companies, Alexander Dennis (picture above) managed an increase in share and the highest sales figure since 2019. Northern Ireland based Wrightbus (picture below)- which are leaders in hydrogen buses - reached 850 units registered, 2017 the last time that figure was bettered. BYD are not a UK brand but the bodies on their buses may be provided by Alexander Dennis.

For imports, diesel buses have a 16% duty and electric 10%. The latter seems too low to protect local manufacturing and imports from China could prove disrupters for local manufacturers. That probably needs a review to provide some help to protect domestic electric bus manufacturing - which use Chinese made chassis' anyway - but unlikely to happen. The 2025 figures may have some different brand names included, assuming they will be reported. 

Data source: SMMT.

Serbia Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

There were 1,492 passenger cars sold in January, down 2% on the corresponding month in 2024. There were 284 light commercials sold as well but not included in the chart.

Škoda claimed one sale in five, down slightly on the 2024 total. Hyundai and Renault were well up but when registrations are of a more diminutive nature, change is more drastic. 

Jeep is an example of that, leaping to sixth spot but it would be surprising if that could be maintained through the year. VW and Kia will be hoping for better times for the rest of 2025. 

The best selling model for 2024 was the Škoda Octavia as one would expect with the penetration the brand enjoys. 

Data source: Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers and Cube Team. 

Picture source: Škoda Facebook, Serbia.

Iceland Pick Up Sales 2020-24

The Icelandic market isn't big but it has a rural ruggedness and at times harsh conditions. Ideal for vehicles best suited to that and pick ups would without doubt be included among them. 

Nearly 700 were sold in 2017 but since then the numbers have been regressing. I'm not sure of the reason but there were still 305 sold during 2024. The Toyota Hilux made up two thirds of the total. Some of the units sold are of the large kind, the RAM 3500 has been very popular for example. 

How sales go in 2025 will be interesting. 

Picture source: Isband (link click here). Data source: Samgongustofa.

Kia Korea Model Production : 2024

Kia made 1.46 million cars in Korea last year. That was down 3% on 2023. The top three all improved but most of the rest didn't. The Tasman pickup and EV4 will add their presence to the lineup so they should give things an uplift. 

I believe the K3/Cerato may be on the way out as to the Mohave due to slow sales and to make way for the new models on the production line. 

Data source: Kia.

Kia also made some commercial vehicles and the absence of any import competition due to tariff protection probably makes it viable despite modest numbers.

Kia Plant Sales By Nation : 2024

Kia made 3 million passenger cars and SUVs in 2024. It manufactures in six countries with close to half made at home. If the CKD kits* are also originating from Korea (and I assume they do), then just over half. The rest is fairly evenly spread between plants. 250,000 to 350,000 covers all of them. 

China was the first overseas production facility back in 2002 but in recent years the volume has dropped substantially as is the case with other manufacturers. In the last two years production in China has made improved. 

The USA (since 2010) and Slovakia (2006) are both around 350,000 cars per annum. India (2019) was down this year and Mexico (2016) was steady. The latter has started making a model for Hyundai but is not counted here. 

*The 'CKD' I believe are cars made from knocked down kits but due to the content being split between facilities, not attributed to either. The model(s) involved are not given either. That's how I've read the data provided but it doesn't clearly specify if that is so.

Data source: Kia.

Spain Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations were up 5% for the month. Toyota has been the best selling brand for the past three years and started 2025 clearly intent on staying there. It even broke the 10% share mark, something not common in Spain. 

There are two brands that Spaniards call their own, SEAT and the spinoff Cupra marque. Both were down on share in January with the former on 8th and the latter 16th. Early days of course. 

Some Chinese brands are making their mark here. BYD is at 19th, with Omoda just two places behind it. Several others are scattered further down the list. 

The top selling models were:

Dacia Sandero 2,706

Hyundai Tucson 2,103

MG ZS 2,103 (top picture)

Toyota Corolla 1,736

Toyota C-HR 1,588

Nissan Qashqai 1,546

Toyota Yaris Cross 1,484

Renault Captur 1,349

SEAT Ibiza 1,339

Kia Sportage 1,319

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 50 Models.

Data source: ANFAC.

Picture Source: Fiat.

Italy Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations were down 6% in January. The good news for locals was that Fiat's market share of 11.9% was higher than the last two complete years. We await to see if it is sustainable. 

Dacia reached its highest penetration ever at 8.6%. Regular readers will know I'm all for a value product so good to see one with essential features but not excess ones. 

VW hit its lowest share since 2009 when Fiat had just over a quarter of the market. At least the VW Group can take heart knowing Audi reached an all time high at 5.1%. 

Italy has some local brands with Chinese connections in the form of DR Motors, Evo, EMC and Sportequipe.

The top selling models were:

Fiat Panda 13,333

Dacia Sandero 5,577

Jeep Avenger 4,685

Citroën C3 4,565

Dacia Duster 4,363

Peugeot 208 3,727

Toyota Yaris 2,935

Renault Captur 2,575

Toyota Yaris Cross 2,573

MG ZS 2,438

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 50 Models.

Data source: UNRAE. 

Picture Source: Fiat.

France Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations were down 6% in January. Peugeot, Renault and Citroën each recorded an increase in market share. Last year they had 36% of the market when combined and in January 40%. 

Toyota especially but also Daicia increased their portion which makes you wonder who were the losers. 

Mercedes-Benz lost nearly two thirds of its share and Tesla well over half. DS was down 49% and Fiat -46%.

The bizarre result of the month goes to Land Rover which sold over 10,000 vehicles last year but only recorded one sale in January. I did a web search but couldn't find an explanation.

The top selling models were:

Peugeot 208 5,984

Renault Clio 5,282

Dacia Sandero 4,916

Peugeot 2008 4,721

Citroën C3 4,587 (picture above)

Peugeot 3008 4,095

Toyota Yaris Cross 3,760

Dacia Duster 3,075

Renault 5 2,813

Peugeot 308 2,588

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 50 Models.

Data source: AAAData.

Picture Source: Fiat.

Portugal Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Peugeot took the lead in Portugal in 2021 and continues with that down to 2025. Dacia is 

up to second, it's highest ranking ever here. 

Toyota is up from seventh in 2024 but Mercedes-Benz has dropped two places to fourth. It is being pressed by BMW that hasn't led MB since 2014.

Nissan has moved up two spots to seventh with the Juke (pictured above) now the second most popular model in Portugal. 

Kia has been making its way up the chart but never has it been ion the top 10 brands. Well, it is in January.

The top selling models were:

Dacia Sandero 616

Nissan Juke 482

Peugeot 208 421

Renault captur 398

Opel Corsa 397

Peugeot 308 358

Peugeot 208 332

Tesla Model 3 328

Dacia Duster 326

Toyota Yaris cross 323

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 50 Models.

Data source: ACAP.

Netherlands Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations were down 4.6% for the month. Kis first went to the top in 202, then returned in 2024. It has established a strong case for remaining there through 2025 although early days of course. 

With the Netherlands encouraging electric cars, brands that have invested well in that area are well represented here. One that didn't do well in January was Tesla, down at 15th after finishing 4th in 2024. 

In view of the above, where are the Chinese brands that have put so much into the electric car? Well, they aren't proving that popular in the Netherlands, so far at least. 

The top selling models were:

Kia EV3 1,757

Toyota RAV4 1,023

Kia Picanto 855

Volvo EX30 724

VW Polo 696

Kia Niro 558

Škoda Kodiac 555

Suzuki Swift 550

Toyota Aygo 529

VW ID.3 523

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 50 Models.

Portugal Top 50 Models : 2024

 

I just noticed I didn't publish this data so belatedly here it is. Dacia just managed to take the top spot with its Sandero model. It also is the top model in Europe. 

Peugeot is the best selling brand in Portugal so is well represented at the top of the list. The 2008 is second, 208 fifth and the 308 seventh.

Tesla did well here for the year with the Model 3 third and Model Y sixteenth. The Nissan Juke's sales were 138% and that took the model up to tenth. 

In case you're wondering what the Hyundai Kauai is, it's the Kona model that was renamed to avoid causing any offence. 

New Zealand Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations held were the same as January last year but volume is well short of recent better times. Still, with later model used cars arriving in numbers not too dissimilar to new, the choice is there to save. 

Toyota is the brand chosen in over 20% of purchases. Kia, Mitsubishi and Suzuki came next often with deals to entice buyers but the huge gap remains. 

Ford relies heavily on the Ranger pickup but as it is treated as a light commercial vehicle, it is excluded from this list. It would be second placed if commercials were added. 

Chinese brands of note are MG, Haval, and BYD. GWM (which includes Tank and Ora), Jaecoo and Omoda are newer entrants so how they progress will be interesting. 

The top selling models were:

Toyota RAV4 1,023

Kia Seltos 362

Mitsubishi ASX 324

Suzuki Swift 249

Mitsubishi Outlander 215

Ford Everest 197

Kia Stonic 173

MG ZS 164

Toyota LC Prado 159

Haval H6 144

Kia Sportage 143

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 40 Models.

Data source: NZTA.

Australia Car/LCV Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations at 85,644 were down 2% compared to January 2024. The car market stubbornly refuses to fall more dramatically as has been expected for some time.

Toyota as usual leads with an impressive margin down to Mazda in second place and Ford in third. Ford does well as it relies on just two models to do the heavy lifting. 

Chinese brands are making their way up the list such as MG , Haval and Chery. Some newcomers are yet to report sales until they are established with reasonable volume. It's a common practice in Australia but as data is reliant on it being reported it's up to them.

Citroën has pulled the plug and the solitary sales reflects that run out mode is about complete. I can't see it returning. I'm unsure what Jaguar's position is but sales are holding up quite well for now. 

Some top selling models were:

Toyota RAV4 5,076

Ford Ranger 4,254

Toyota Hilux 3,302

Toyota Prado 2,847

Mitsubishi Outlander 2,090

Isuzu D-Max 2,086
Mazda CX-5 1,872

Kia Sportage 1,826

Ford Everest 1,679

Mazda CX-3 1,608

For 2024 articles, simply click on the links below:

By brand.

Top 50 Models.

Data source FCAI.

Argentina Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations for cars and light commercials have been well down for several years. 

Then suddenly in January they are +103%! If that is kept up, then 2025 will be back to its highest levels of years past.

VW lost its lead in 2020 but took it back with a 148% increase compared to January 2024. Toyota was only up 135%. 

Fiat was the loser dropping from first in January last year to third as it only increased 78%.

The top selling models were:

Peugeot 208 - 5,258

Fiat Cronos - 4,284

VW Amarok - 3,664

Ford Ranger - 3,634

Toyota Hilux - 3,418

Toyota Corolla Cross - 2,644

VW Polo - 2,434

Peugeot 2008 - 2,261

Toyota Yaris - 2,029

Chevrolet Tracker - 2,018.

It will be interesting to see if the increase is maintained for the rest of the year.

For Argentina 2024, click the titles below:

Top 50 models.

Brand Sales.

Data source: SIOMAA. 

Picture source: Peugeot. 

Iceland Passenger Car Sales : 2025 (January)

Registrations for January were up 29.5% on what was admittedly a poor 2024. Sales start slowly in Iceland, perhaps the weather dictating that to some degree. Last year just 4.5% of the year's registrations came in January. 

Kia has taken the early lead here but as in any smaller country things can change quickly. The photograph is from Kia, Reykjavik and it seems like a large dealership. 

Toyota and Hyundai were next with then a drop to Tesla with Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover come next. Some Chinese brands have emerged, such as Xpeng and Ora. 

The top models were:

Kia Sportage - 59

Tesla Y - 26

Toyota RAV4 - 25

Kia EV3 - 21

Kia Sorento - 20

Škoda Kodiak - 16

Toyota Land Cruiser - 16

For Iceland 2024, just click the titles below:

Top 50 models

Brand Sales

Data source: Samgongustofa. Picture source: Kia Iceland.

European Nation Electric Car Sales : 2024

ACEA put out data on how electric car (BEV) sales are progressing in European countries. The continent wants to end fossil fuel sales by 2035. We have entered 2025 so that isn't that far away. How are member nations doing in this regard?

The size of the market has to be factored in when looking at the list below. Germany has been the leader numerically as it is the largest car market. It took over from Norway in 2019 but has now been passed by the UK in 2024, albeit by a tiny margin. 

Government subsidies ended in Germany in 2023 and that is the reason for the 27% drop which goes to show that BEVs aren't that popular when they have to meet the market without government sweeteners.

The UK has become the leading BEV market in 2024, reaching just under 20% of total sales. In Germany it was just 13.5% and Italy 5.5%. In contrast, for Norway it was 89%, Denmark reached 51.5% and the Netherlands 35%.

All this data excluded hybrid cars. As far as I know, the EU hasn't set a date to end their sale although the UK has 2035 as a target date. Of course, dates and targets are flexible.

Data ACEA. Picture VW.

Toyota Global Sales : 2022-24

Toyota's global sales were down slightly, 1.4% to be precise. The two reasons for the reduction are China and Japan. The former has been the case for foreign makes as they are out under pressure from local manufacturers. The second was self inflicted. Otherwise, the total was in positive territory. 

Asia went from 48.7% to 45.8% of sales which is a large fall. North America is up to 26.9% of total global sales for the Toyota Group with the USA contributing 85% of that for the region. Europe is up to 11.5% with France now the largest market. 

What is the rest accounted for 11%, the Gulf States (GCC) made up 40.5% of that total. Finally Latin America at 4.8%, with Brazil and Argentina being the two main countries. 

Data & picture source: Toyota Group.

Europe Top 10 Models : 2024

The Top 10 model list had two changes from 2023. Out went the Opel / Vauxhall Corsa and Fiat 500. In came the Škoda Octavia amd Dacia Duster.

VW had three models and Dacia two on the list. It's good to see a budget brand doing well as they offer value for money and good quality. 

The 268,000 for first place sales was the highest since 2020. The tenth place was the best for that position since 2020. 

For the 29 years I've been tracing the Top 10 in Europe, the only ever present model has been the VW Golf and it has not finished below seventh. The Renault Clio and Opel / Vauxhall Corsa have made the list for 27 years each but the latter missed out in '24. 

VW has had the most models with 68, Opel /Vauxhall 49, Renault 44 and Ford 41. I doubt Ford will make the list again as it was last on it in 2020 and its focus (no pun intended) is more on light commercials. 

Tunisia Passenger Car Sales : 2024

Registrations were down 1% for the year which is a reasonably good performance. The top four all lost ground although Hyundai's was marginal. Hyundai took the lead off Kia three years ago and has retained its place at the top since then. MG and Chery pushed hard and were rewarded.

Renault doubled its sales but Peugeot was down 29%. Citroën all but disappeared in 2020 and fell from 12th to 42nd but suddenly reemerged this year and in 2024 finished up at 14th.  

UK Vehicle Production : 2024

While some Asian countries have a robust vehicle manufacturing industry, they remain 'protected' with stiff import duties. The UK has a weak car industry but any thought of protection that would see it grow and prosper is unthinkable. 

Passenger car production in the UK fell 27% in December and 14% for the year. I predicted in March that "one could expect that 2024 will not  equal the year before". I didn't expect it to fall that much.  

Commercial vehicle volume was -17% in December  but still up 4% for the year. Production for the home market has taken a battering, -28% in March and -13% YTD. Exports were -13% In March but up an impressive 58% YTD.

Put it all together and December was down 26% and -12% for the completed year. The numbers aren't flash but considering the apathy within the UK for its motor vehicle industry hardly surprising.  

With two manufacturers providing sales figures each month, they are listed here. Nissan accounted for 31% of the total and Toyota 11%. I appreciate their openness. 

Data source: SMMT, manufacturers.

Toyota Global Production : 2022-24

Global production was down just over 500,000 in 2024 or 5%. Japan down half of that and the rest of the world the other half. A scandal at home had much to do with the Japan figure. As for elsewhere, China was down 244,500 units South Africa (RSA) down 44,000 units as their economy weakens. That in itself covers all the decrease and a bit more so the rest was overall up slightly. Toyota always finds a way and this will be no more than a blip on the radar. 

Asia made 64.7% of all Toyota's, North America 21.5%, Europe 8.7%, Latin America 3.9% and Africa 1.2%. Japan accounted for 50.8% of Asian assembly and China 24.5%. Cambodia has joined the Toyota family of assemblers. 

The USA makes 62% of North American Toyotas and Europe has four countries with plants after its Russian exit. Brazil and Argentina are both very active but Africa relies on South Africa and as stated already that country isn't doing well economically. 

Data & picture source: Toyota Group.