The Tesla Model Y is likely to be Europe’s best-seller for the first time this year, despite a 42 percent decline in sales compared with March 2023.
The full-electric midsize SUV leads the Volkswagen Golf 26,122 to 25,423, according to Dataforce’s preliminary data representing 96 percent of sales in the European Union, the EFTA countries and the U.K.
The Model Y was Europe’s overall top-seller in 2023.
Golf sales were up 45 percent, continuing a strong comeback for the compact hatchback that until the last few years was consistently Europe’s No. 1-seller.
VW in January unveiled a major face-lift to the Golf to extend the model’s life before it moves to an all-electric drivetrain for the next generation.
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In third place was the Dacia Sandero, with 25,059 sales, a rise of 25 percent on March 2023. That means there could be a change in the No. 2 and No. 3 slots once all markets report their figures.
The Sandero was Europe’s top-seller in January and February and maintains the overall sales lead through the first quarter of 2024.
Rounding out the top five was the Nissan Qashqai, with sales of 23,679 (+16 percent) and Peugeot 208, with a volume of 22,671 (-1.8 percent), according to Dataforce’s preliminary figures.
There is a close race for the No. 7 spot with the Citroen C3 ahead of the VW T-Roc by 390 sales.
An even more competitive race is for 12th place, with the Kia Sportage leading the Toyota Yaris Cross by just 82 sales.
VW had six models in the March top 50, led by the Golf, followed by Toyota with five. led by the Yaris at No. 11.
Skoda had four, led by the Octavia at No. 15, and Peugeot had three, led by the 208, according to Dataforce’s preliminary figures.
Source: autonews.com