2009 Full Year Best-Selling Car Makers & Brands in Europe

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Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Ford were the top-selling motor manufacturing groups and car brands in Europe in 2009. The VW Golf was Europe’s favorite car model.

Volkswagen, Peugeot, and Ford were the top-selling motor manufacturing groups and car brands in Europe in 2009. The VW Golf was Europe's favorite car model. © Volkswagen Media Services

The Volkswagen Group increased its market share to remain Europe’s top automobile manufacturer in 2009. VW was followed by Peugeot, Ford, and Renault.  Volkswagen also easily maintained its position as the best-selling car brand or marque in Europe and was followed by Ford, Renault, Opel / Vauxhall, and Fiat. The European new car market weakened by 1.6% to 14,481,545 new passenger car registrations in 2009.

Top Ten Best-Selling Car Manufacturers in Europe in 2009

The top-selling car manufacturing groups in Europe (EU plus EFTA) in 2009 according to ACEA car sales statistics were:

  • Manufacturing Group … No of Cars Sold in 2009 … % Market Share … % Change from 2008
  1. VW … 3,062,774 … 21.1 … +0.7
  2. PSA … 1,865,263 … 12.9 … -0.0
  3. Ford … 1,486,338 … 10.3 … +2.0
  4. Renault … 1,335,766 … 9.2 … +3.9
  5. GM … 1,284,283 … 8.9 … -8.7
  6. Fiat … 1,254,829 … 8.7 … +6.3
  7. Toyota … 730,831 … 5.0 … -4.7
  8. BMW … 708,109 … 4.9 … -13.6
  9. Daimler … 689,177 … 4.8 … -13.0
  10. Nissan … 366,711 … 2.5 … +9.0

Top 25 Best-Selling Car Brands in Europe in 2009

The top car brands or marques in Europe (EU plus EFTA) in 2009 according to sales statistics released by the ACEA were:

  • Car Brand (Group)… No of Cars Sold in 2009 … % Market Share… % Change from 2008
  1. Volkswagen (VW) … 1,649,931 … 11.4 … +4.8
  2. Ford … 1,283,602 … 8.9 … +4.1
  3. Renault … 1,097,854 … 7.6 … -0.4
  4. Opel / Vauxhall (GM) … 1,064,723 … 7.4 … -7.8
  5. Fiat … 1,016,340 … 7.0 … +6.1
  6. Peugeot (PSA) … 995,130 … 6.9 … -1.3
  7. Citroen (PSA) … 870,133 … 6.0 … +1.4
  8. Toyota … 710,369 … 4.9 … -3.8
  9. Audi (VW) … 612,393 … 4.2 … -7.8
  10. Mercedes (Daimler) … 593,088 … 4.1 … -13.8
  11. BMW … 572,091 … 4.0 … -15.4
  12. Skoda (VW) … 481,458 … 3.3 … +4.1
  13. Nissan … 366,711 … 2.5 … +9.0
  14. Hyundai … 341,837 … 2.4 … +26.6
  15. Seat (VW) … 316,928 … 2.2 … -5.8
  16. Kia … 252,403 … 1.7 … +5.8
  17. Suzuki … 250,309 … 1.7 … +0.6
  18. Honda … 244,693 … 1.7 … -7.7
  19. Dacia (Renault) … 237,912 … 1.6 … +29.2
  20. Mazda … 211,100 … 1.5 … -13.5
  21. Volvo (Ford) … 202,736 … 1.4 … -9.3
  22. Chevrolet (GM) … 190,715 … 1.3 … +5.5
  23. Mini (BMW) … 136,018 … 0.9 … -5.5
  24. Lancia (Fiat) … 121,549 … 0.8 … +6.6
  25. Alfa Romeo (Fiat) … 110,545 … 0.8 … +8.1

European Car Market and Best-Selling Brands in 2009

The European car market weakened by 1.6% to 14,481,545 new passenger car registrations in 2009. Government tax incentives to replace older cars prevented a potentially disastrous year in especially Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

In contrast to most other German car manufactures, Volkswagen had a good year in Europe in 2009 and increased market share.  Troubled Swedish car manufacturer Saab slumped by 59.1%.

Producers of smaller and cheaper cars had a better year. The top performers were Renault’s budget Dacia brand (+29.2%) and Korean manufacturer Hyundai (+26.6).

The VW Golf, the top seller in Germany in 2009, was again Europe’s most popular car followed by the smaller Ford Fiesta.

Note: ACEA car sales statistics are for the European Union (EU) and EFTA (Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland) but exclude the very small Malta and Cyprus markets.

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance writer with over 20 years of experience in online writing. His best-selling cars website has been reporting car sales statistics since 2008 with classic car auction prices focusing on the most expensive automobiles sold at public auctions in the past decade. He also owns the travel websites European-Traveler.com and Lake Geneva Switzerland. Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Finance from the University of London.

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