2012 (Full Year) France: Best-Selling Car Manufacturers and Models

2012 Red Renault Clio driving in Paris

Renault, Peugeot, and Citroen remained the top-selling car brands and manufacturers in a weakening French car market in 2012. The Clio narrowly outsold the Mégane to become France’s favorite car. In 2012, PSA remained France’s top car manufacturer while the strongest car brands were Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, and Volkswagen. The Renault Clio was the most … Read more

2012 (Q3) Norway: Best-Selling Electric Cars

Nissan Leaf cars in Oslo, Norway

The Nissan Leaf is the best-selling electric car model in Norway thus far in 2012 outselling the 2011 favorite Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Norway’s favorite electric car in 2012 is the Nissan Leaf. The Leaf easily outsold the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which was the best-selling electric passenger vehicle in Norway in 2011. The Mitsubishi was followed by the … Read more

2012 (Full Year) Germany: Electric and Hybrid Car Sales

Opel Ampera

Electric cars and hybrid vehicles continue to grow in popularity in Germany but in 2012 low-emission cars still take only one percent of the total German car market. Electric and hybrid vehicle sales in Germany continue to grow in 2012 but overall numbers still remain dismally low compared to the total new passenger vehicle market. … Read more

2012 (Q3) Europe: Best-Selling Car Brands and Manufacturers

VW Polo Front View

Volkswagen remained the strongest car manufacturer and brand in Europe during the first nine months of 2012. VW was followed by Ford and Opel / Vauxhall despite weaker sales. In a shrinking car market, Volkswagen increased it dominant position as Western Europe’s strongest car manufacturer and marque. Other major car manufacturers, including PSA, Renault, Ford, … Read more

2012 (Q3) Europe: Car Sales by EU Countries

Land Rover Evoque

The West European car market weakened further during the third quarter of 2012. Germany remains the biggest European car market followed by Britain and France. Car sales continue to decline in Western Europe during the first nine months of 2012 with total sales falling below 10 million units. September 2012 saw sales sliding for the … Read more

2012 (Q3) Switzerland: Best-Selling Car Models

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

The Volkswagen Golf was again the top-selling car model in Switzerland during the first nine months of 2012. The Skoda Octavia and VW Polo also remain Swiss favorites. The Volkswagen Golf remained Switzerland’s favorite car model during the first three quarters of 2012. The Golf outsold the Skoda Octavia with a smaller margin than last … Read more

2012 (Q3) Britain: Best Selling Car Brands and Models

Ford Fiesta

Ford, Vauxhall, and Volkswagen were the most popular car brands in the UK for the first nine months of 2012. The Ford Fiesta was the top-selling car model. During the first three quarters of 2012, Ford increased its share of the British car market. Vauxhall remained the second strongest car brand in the UK followed … Read more

2012 (Q3) Germany: Best Selling Car Models

VW Golf Series 1 to 7

The Volkswagen Golf remains Germany’s favorite car for the first nine months of 2012. It was followed by the VW Passat, Polo, and Mercedes C Class. Germany’s top-selling car model during the first three quarters of 2012 was, as seemingly forever, the VW Golf / Jetta. Volkswagen sold more Golfs in Germany between January and … Read more

2012 (Q3) Japan: Best-Selling Car Models

Red Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius remains the best-selling car model in Japan for the first nine months of 2012. The Toyota Aqua outsold the Honda Fit to become the second most popular car in Japan. The Toyota Prius was again the most popular car in Japan during the first three quarters of 2012. The Toyota Aqua became … Read more