Jetour hits a new volume record in South Africa in February.
Itβs an incredible 17th straight month of year-on-year gains in South Africa with February volumes up 11.4% to 53,455. This is believed to be the highest February volume in South African history, eclipsing the previous best of 53,220 hit in February 2013. The year-to-date tally is up 9.9% to 103,976. However exports crash -28.1% to just 24,221.
Toyota (+4.5%) trails the market but remains by far the most popular manufacturer in the country with 23% share. It is followed by Suzuki (+8.6%) and the VW Group (-6.7%), in difficulty. Hyundai (+2%) and Ford (+1%) are muted and complete the Top 5. We have a raft of great gainers below, including Chinese Jetour (+266.9%) β reaching a new volume record at 1,673 and equalling its best ever share at 3.1%, Omoda+Jaecoo (+68%), GWM (+52.9%) and Chery (+20.2%). Mahindra (+24%) and Kia (+17.1%) also impress.
Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (+25.3%) cements its lead to 6.3% share, with the #2 this month being the Suzuki Swift (+6.7%), up two spots on January. The Ford Ranger (-3.6%) and VW Polo Vivo (-7.4%) are knocked down one spot each to #3 and #4. The Toyota Vitz (+117.6%) and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (+57.7%) sport the biggest lifts in the Top 10 and rank #9 and #6 respectively.Β
The Peugeot 2008 is up to a record third place in Turkiye in February.
The Turkish new light vehicle market is down -3% year-on-year in February to 88,039 sales. Thanks to a strong January figure, the year-to-date tally remains in positive for now at +2.5% to 163,401. Renault (+21.2%) continues to dominate the brands charts with 13.5% share but the performer of the month is without a doubt Peugeot (+62.3%) up eight spots on January to land in 2nd place overall with 9.4% share. This is compared with the 6.3% it held over the Full Year 2025. Fiat (+7.7%) is back up one spot on last month to #3, overtaking Toyota (-19.2%) down two to #4. Citroen (+56.9%), Skoda (+46.9%) and Opel (+13.9%) also deft the negative context in the remainder of the Top 10. Notice also local EV maker Togg (+44.7%) up to #11 and 3.4% share. Telsa is down -78.2%.
Model-wise, the Renault Clio (+45.7%) consolidates its leadership at 7.8% share vs. 5% for the #2, the Toyota Corolla Sedan (-24.2%). The Peugeot 2008 (+102.2%) shoots up 21 spots on January to #3 which is a new ranking record for the nameplate. The Renault Megane Sedan (-23.1%) and Fiat Egea Sedan (-29.4%) round out the Top 5. The Renault Duster (+233.8%), Peugeot 3008 (+27%), Kia Sportage (+110.6%) and Peugeot 408 (+61.8%) also make themselves noticed.
The Move (+39.4%) helps Daihatsu up 18.5% in February.
The Japanese new vehicle market is shy in February at -3.5% year-on-year to 394,965 units. The year-to-date tally is now off -2.9% to 762,717. The Top 3 carmakers all fall a little faster than the market. Toyota is off -8.1% to 29.6% share vs. 30.5% so far this year, Suzuki is down 5.7% to 16.1% share vs. 16.3% and Honda edges down -5.2% Β to 13.8% share. Daihatsu (+18.5%) on the other hand continues to catch up on depleted year-ago volumes. Mitsubishi (+14.3%), Isuzu (+7.2%) and to a lesser extent Nissan (+0.4%) all defy the negative market with year-on-year upticks. Mercedes (-2.2%) remains by far the most popular foreign brand but with just 0.9% share. BYD is up 110.9% to a still tiny 466 sales (#23).
Looking at regular cars, the Toyota Yaris/Yaris Cross (-26%) continues to lead but crashes year-on-year as does the Toyota Corolla/Corolla Cross (-32%). The Toyota Sienta (-7.3%) maintains itself at #2 while the Toyota Raize (+9.1%) ranks #4. The Honda Freed (-4.5%) is the best-selling non Toyota model at #5, distancing the Toyota Voxy (+27.5%) and Roomy (-4.5%). The Suzuki Jimny Wagon (+133.1%) impresses once again at #13, with the Toyota RAV4 (+71.9%), Mitsubishi Delica D5 (+46.3%) and Suzuki XBee (+94.8%) also standing out. The Toyota bZ4X (+8900%) confirms the facelift was a good idea Β and scores a third Top 30 finish in the past four months.
As for kei cars, the Honda N-BOX (-1.7%) stays in the lead and tops the overall vehicle charts by a large margin. In fact both the Suzuki Spacia (-8.1%) and Daihatsu Move (+39.4%) also outsell the Toyota Yaris/Cross for the month, with the Daihatsu Tanto (-9.5%) not far behind. Notice also the Nissan Roox (+35.1%), Mitsubishi Delica Mini/eK (+20.8%) and Nissan Dayz (+16.5%) all posting significant upticks.
The Mazda CX-5 represents 92% of the brandβs volume in February.
New car sales in Russia edge up 2.5% year-on-year in February to 80,027 units. The year-to-date volume after two months is down -3.9% to 160,631. Local behemoth Lada (-22.5%) continues to skid and accounts for 23.8% of its home market vs. 31.5% a year ago in February 2025. Haval (+6.1%) remains the most popular foreign carmaker at #2 with 12.7% share, while local newcomer Tenet may have reached its full potential at 10.8% share vs. 11.1% last month. Tenet is a China-Russia joint venture which assembles rebadged Chery vehicles at the Kaluga plant, previously owned by Volkswagen. Belgee (+134.6%) surges ahead to a record 4th place above Geely (-8.6%). The surprise of the month is Mazda up 1852.8% to reach an all time high 6th place, smashing its previous best of #9 hit last month and in January 2021. Toyota (+102.4%), Solaris (+29%) and Jetour (+15%) also shine below.
Looking at the models charts, the Lada Granta (-23.4%) drops to 9.1% share vs. 12.2% a year ago. It is now followed by the new Tenet T7 (aka Chery Tiggo 7L), up to a record 2nd place only 6 months after its launch. The Haval Jolion (+15%) is knocked down to #3 ahead of the Belgee X50 (+191%), aka Geely Coolray, up to a record #4, also hit in August and September 2025. The Lada Niva Travel (+25.8%) shows excellent health at #5 above the new Tenet T4 (aka Chery Tiggo 4). The Lada Vesta (-62.8%) is in complete freefall at #7 while the Mazda CX-5 (+2769.7%) stuns at a record 8th place.
The new Frontera helps Opel sales up 58% in February.
4,863 new cars found a buyer in Croatia in February, a very sturdy 14.7% year-on-year improvement. This contrasts with a -11.5% drop in January and tilts the year-to-date tally into positive territory at +1.3% to 8,809 units. Skoda (+14.1%) is a distant leader at 15.3% share, distancing Volkswagen (+28.8%) at 11.7% and doubling the marketβs growth rate. BMW (+67.6%) and Opel (+58%) sport the biggest gains in the Top 10, with Audi (+16.3%) and Hyundai (+15.3%) also strong. BYD is up 9200% to break all its records at #16 with 93 sales and 1.9% share. Omoda (+2450%) and Jaecoo (+1750%) continue to spectacularly gear up.
Model-wise, the Skoda Octavia (+36.3%) is back to its traditional top spot with 6.6% share above the Suzuki Vitara (-10%) at 5%. #1 in January, the VW T-Cross (+40.8%) is down to #3 but still surges year-on-year. The Opel Mokka (+218.6%) is up from outside the January Top 20 directly into 6th place, just as the Hyundai Tucson (+66.2%), Dacia Sandero (+52.5%) and Suzuki S-Cross (+31.1%) all deliver terrific performances. The new Opel Frontera is up five spots on last month to #14.
The VW Golf is #1 in Switzerland for the first time since December 2018.
Another negative month for new car sales in Switzerland, off -3.2% year-on-year in February to 15,697 units. The year-to-date tally is down -4.1% to 29,724. 4Γ4 sales are down -5.1% to 7,684 and 49% share vs. 49.9% in February 2025. Petrol sales are off -6.4% to 3,812 and 24.3% share vs. 25.1% a year ago, diesel is down -26.8% to 933 and 5.9% share vs. 7.9%, HEVs edge up 0.2% to 6,009 and 38.3% share vs. 37% last year and PHEVs soar 25.1% to 1,829 and 11.7% share vs. 9%. Finally BEVs disappoint at -8.5% to 3,113 and 19.8% share vs. 21% in February 2025. Year-to-date, BEV sales are off -4.5% to 6,026 and 20.3% share vs. 20.4% over the same period in 2025.
Volkswagen (+37.2%) manages the biggest YoY gain in the Top 13 and improves to 12.6% share, reclaiming the top spot for the month and year-to-date. Skoda (+4.9%) is up one spot on last month to #2 with 10.2% share vs. 9.6% so far this year. Leader in January, BMW (-3%) falls to #3 both this month and YTD. Peugeot (+14.4%), Audi (+8.1%), Toyota (+2.6%) and Volvo (+2.2%) all defy the negative market with YoY upticks. Below, MG (+138.7%) shoots up to #14 while BYD (+2375%) breaks all its records at #22 with 198 sales and 1.3% share. Tesla is down a further -32.2% (it was already off -66.6% on the year prior in February 2025).
Over in the models charts, we have a clear leader in the VW Golf (+45.4%) sporting its first Swiss pole position in over 7 years: since December 2018! This is also the Golfβs third podium finish in the past 50 months. As a result the Golf takes the lead of the YTD ranking as well vs. #4 over the Full Year 2025. The Skoda Kodiaq (+3.5%) and VW Tiguan (-2.4%) are equal #2 with 2.1% share while the Audi Q3 (-17.9%) is down significantly YoY but back up four spots on January to #4. Leader last month, the BMW X1 (+13.6%) drops to #5 ahead of the Skoda Enyaq (+63%) and BMW X3 (+25.5%) both in outstanding shape. The Tesla Model Y is off -32.4% to #23 and ranks #39 year-to-date vs. #2 over the Full Year 2025.
The Toyota Hilux holds 19.5% of the Nicaraguan market in 2025.
Today we can share with you extremely rare data about Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan new vehicle market is up a splendid 18% year-on-year in 2025 to 32,893 units. Toyota (+9%) is ultra dominant here with 42% share, albeit down from 45.5% in 2024. The Top 4 brands remain unchanged on 2024 with Suzuki (+45%) the best performer above Hyundai (+17%) and Kia (+15%). Mitsubishi (+31%) is up two spots to #7 while Chery (+16.9%) ranks at #10 and is the only Chinese carmaker in the Top 10.
As for models, the Toyota Hilux (+1%) sells over 5 times as much as the next best seller at 19.5% share vs. 3.8% for the Toyota Raize (+7%) at #2. The Agya (+14%) completes a podium 100% Toyota. The Suzuki S-Presso (+33%) ranks #4 above the Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan (+44%). Notice also the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 pickup pointing its bonnet at #10.
Full Year 2025 Top 10 brands and models vs. Full Year 2024 figures below.
The Chery Tiggo 4 is up to #3 year-to-date in Australia.
New vehicle sales in Australia are down -2.7% year-on-year in February to 94,131 units, leading to a year-to-date volume off -1.3% to 181,884. Petrol sales fall -17.7% to 33,309, diesel limits its fall to -1.6% and 26,963 units and HEVs are off -9.6% to 13,868 but PHEVs soar 20.2% to 5,854. The best performing propulsion is by far BEVs: up a stunning 95.9% to 11,134 for a record 11.8% market share. SUVs stabilise their share at 60.3% vs. 60.4% in February 2025 due to sales down -2.9% to 56,767. Light commercials are also in negative at -0.7% to 21,191 and 22.5% share vs. 22.1% a year ago and passenger cars edge down -2.4% to 13,170 and 14% share vs. 13.9% last year. Meanwhile heavy commercials are off -12.9% to 3,003 and 3.2% share vs. 3.6% a year ago.
If Victoria is stable (24,732) all other regions are in negative this month (excluding Tesla and Polestar). New South Wales is down -7.6% to 27,524, Queensland down -2.8% to 19,644, Western Australia off -3.9% to 9,841, South Australia at -8.7% to 5,673, Tasmania down -6.4% to 1,384, Australian Capital Territory down -18.7% to 1,187 and Northern Territory off -15.8% to 727. Worryingly, private sales trail the market at -7.7% to 45,182 but fleet sales do the same at -3.4% to 34,444. Only rental sales are dynamic at +35.4% to 5,786 while government sales are down -13.4% to 2,297. The big event of the month is China becoming the biggest source of cars sold in Australia, thanks to sales up 50.5% to 25,781. Meanwhile, Japan is down -31.3% to 21,671, Thailand is up 6.7% to 19,493, South Korea down -2.9% to 11,913 and Germany up 9.8% to 4,272.
The new generation has so far failed to boost Hilux sales in Australia.
After losing -22.3% in January, Toyota (-27.8%) continues its fall to hell with just 14.5% share this month, its lowest in three years: since March 2023 when it hit 13.6% (January 2026 share was incorrect and amended to 16.3%). Toyota suffers from RAV4βs stock drying up (-83.6%) before the new generation hits dealerships at the end of March, and an imploding Prado (-53.3%). Mazda (-19.9%) is also in a rut but manages to stay in 2nd place with 7.5% share. Ford (+9%) is solid and back up one spot on last month to #3 but is stuck in 4th place year-to-date (#2 over the Full Year 2025). Kia (+0.04%) is stable but sister brand Hyundai (+4.5%) is catching up. BYD (+62.2%) lodges another fantastic score and stays in 6th place above a struggling Mitsubishi (-22.3%). Below GWM (+24.9%) at 5% share, Chery (+93.2%) manages an incredible 13th consecutive record volume at 3,938. Isuzu Ute (+23.7%) is also strong while Tesla (+105.7%) is resurgent at #11. A couple of Chinese carmakers make themselves noticed: newcomer Geely breaks its ranking, volume and share records, Zeekr is up 560.6% and Denza lands at #32 with 309 sales.
Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (+7.1%) delivers a satisfying performance at #1, widening the gap with the Toyota Hilux (+0.2%) which has (so far?) failed to benefit from its new generation. The Tesla Model Y (+202.1%) triples its sales year-on-year and shoots up to #3, its highest ranking since last September (#3 also). The Chery Tiggo 4 (+116.8%) repeats at a record #4, a ranking it has held for three of the past four months. It also equals its all-time high share (2.5%) and breaks its volume record (2,315), climbing to #3 year-to-date. The Mazda CX-5 (+8.6%) once again shows surprising form given it will be replaced by a new generation later this year. The GWM Haval Jolion (+38.1%) stays inside the Top 10 with the Ford Everest (+47.3%) and Hyundai Tucson (+15.8%) also showing brilliant form.
The friction between Li Auto and Volkswagen started back in September 2020 when Volkswagen China CEO stated that EREV technology is environmental unfriendly.
The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling vehicle in Ukraine in February.
4,208 new light vehicles found a buyer in Ukraine in February, a steep -13.3% year-on-year drop. The year-to-date tally tilts into negative territory as a result at -0.3% to 8,904 units. Toyota (+2%) goes against the grain and advances to 19.7% share, its highest in a long while. Renault (-17%) is battered to 10% of the market, with Skoda (-7.9%) and Volkswagen (-4.2%) resisting better. Below, Hyundai (+74.5%), Peugeot (+73.3%), Mazda (+39.2%) and Lexus (+34.1%) all post fantastic results. Among the Chinese, Jetour (+241.7%) and Chery (+90.9%) impress but BYD (-58.7%) crashes to #16 vs. #2 in January. Zeekr (-69.6%) is also in difficulty at #24.
Looking at the models charts, we return to some kind of βnormalcyβ with the almost absence of Chinese-made grey imports. The Toyota RAV4 (-2.4%) topples the Renault Duster (-11.9%) to claim the top spot, not only for the month but also year-to-date. The Toyota Prado (+27.2%) stays in third position above the Hyundai Tucson (+80.4%), Mazda CX-5 (+28.4%) and VW Touareg (+39.5%). The Skoda Kodiaq (-7.8%) and Karoq (+21.1%) ensure the Top 8 is 100% composed of SUVs. The Toyota Camry (+27.5%) is the best of the rest at #9 and also scores a sturdy year-on-year lift. BYDβs best-seller is the Sealion 6 down 41 spots on last month to #49.
The Dacia Bigster holds a record 5.8% of its home market in February.
The Romanian new car market continues on its mediocre start of the year with February off a further -24.3% year-on-year toΒ 8,965 units. The year-to-date tally is down -28.9% to 16,892. Dacia (-52.3%) halves its year-ago volume to 18.8% share vs. 29.8% a year ago in February 2025. Toyota (-11.4%) and Skoda (-1.5%) follow and gain share year-on-year while Volkswagen (-25.1%) matches the market and complete a Top 4 unchanged on last month. The performer of the month is newcomer Chery, launched last July, already breaking into the Top 10 with 3.5% share. BYD is also impressive at #12 and 2.8% share but is down from a record #9 hit last month.
Over in the models charts, the Dacia Duster (-52%) holds onto the first place with 6% share, its lowest since last October. The Dacia Bigster (+1811.1%) celebrates one year in market with a record 2nd place and 5.8% share, a new all time high as well and smashing its previous best of 3.8% reached last November. The Toyota Corolla (+36.2%) defies the negative surroundings and climbs two spots on January to score its first ever Romanian podium finish. The Skoda Octavia (-13.9%) drops two ranks to #4, followed by an imploding Dacia Logan (-66.2%) at #5, the nameplateβs lowest ever ranking. The Skoda Kodiaq (+68.4%), Ford Puma (+65.6%) and Toyota Yaris Cross (+12.6%) shine below. The best-selling recent launch is the Chery Tiggo 4 at #14 ahead of the BYD Dolphin Surf at #20 and the Chery Tiggo 8 at #26.
The Opel Frontera is the best-selling recent launch in Ireland.
The Irish new car market gains 7.4% year-on-year in February to 15,033 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 4.4% to 49,557. Volkswagen (+42.3%) surges ahead to the brands top spot with a splendid 13% share vs. 10.4% so far this year. Hyundai (+3.5%) stays in 2nd place above last monthβs leader Toyota (-13.8%) in great difficulty. Skoda (-10.1%) also struggles at #4 while Kia (+4.9%) trails the market at #5. Sensational lifts for Nissan (+45.2%) and Dacia (+43.2%) in the remainder of the Top 10, with Renault (+15.2%) also strong. Further down, Notice Xpeng (+533.3%), Citroen (+189.9%) and Opel (+175.2%).
Model-wise, after being toppled by the Toyota Yaris Cross during the biggest month of the year in January, the Hyundai Tucson (-20.3%) reclaims its traditional pole position both for the month and YTD despite a daunting year-on-year fall. The Kia Sportage (+2.7%) also advances one spot to #2, followed by the Skoda Kodiaq (+37.3%) in outstanding shape. The Toyota Yaris Cross (+14%) falls to #4 but still beats the market. The next five models all deliver fantastic results: the VW Polo is up 213.4%, the Hyundai Kona up 92.1%, the VW Golf up 41.4%, the Tiguan up 41.1%, the Nissan Qashqai up 40.9% and Toyota Corolla Cross up 20.8%. The Opel Frontera is up four ranks to a record #13 and leads all recent launches.
Volvo EX30 sales are up 112.8% year-on-year in February.
The Swedish new car market edges down -1.4% year-on-year in February to 19,341 units, meaning the year-to-date volume is off -9.8% to 35,382. BEVs improve 11.3% to 7,650 and 39.6% share vs. 35% in February 2025 while PHEVs drop -3.8% to 4,912 and 25.4% share vs. 26% a year ago. This means rechargeable cars hold 65% of the Swedish market in February vs. 61.1% in February last year. Local behemoth Volvo (+1.3%) remains the most popular carmaker at home with a splendid 19.2% share vs. 16.9% year-to-date and its highest since last October. Volkswagen (-19.3%) skids down to 12.5% whereas Toyota (+14.7%) is outstanding at #3. Cupra (+36.6%) delivers the biggest gain in the Top 10 and reaches a record 9th place, also hit last November. Polestar (+14.5%), Mercedes (+13.4%) and Skoda (+4.9%) also defy the negative context. Further down, Subaru (+3511.1%) surges to #13 with Citroen (+308.9%) and Fiat (+105.7%) also making themselves noticed.
Over in the models charts, the Volvo EX/XC40 (+71.4%) repeats at #1 with 6.4% share, cementing its YTD dominance. The Volvo XC60 (-27.7%) is relegated to 2nd place above the Volvo EX30 (+112.8%) more than doubling its sales year-on-year and up four spots on January to #3, its highest ranking since December 2023 when it also reached #3. This means Volvo monopolises its home podium for the first time since January 2023. The Tesla Model Y (+11.1%) lurks at #4 while the VW ID.7 (-4.5%) closes up the Top 5. The Toyota bZ4X (+312.8%), Yaris Cross (+109.8%) and Polestar 4 (+89%) also shine below.
The Dacia Duster is the best-selling vehicle in Iceland in February.
New car sales in Iceland jump 25% year-on-year in February to 815 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 76.7% to 2,200. This month Dacia (+868.4%!) takes the lead of the brands charts with a gargantuan 22.6% share, with Kia (+66.7%) in tow at 14.3%. Toyota (-7.7%) suffers but is up two spots on January to #3 ahead of Tesla (+58.5%) up 20 ranks to #4. Leader last month with 30% share, Hyundai (+76%) continues to shoot up YoY but falls to #5. It however remains the #1 brand over the first two months of the year. BYD (+300%), Xpeng (+140%) and MG (+2200%) also find their way into the Top 10.
Over in the models charts, the Dacia Duster shoots up to pole position with 9.4% share and is up to #2 year-to-date, the same ranking it held over the Full Year 2025. The Kia Sportage repeats at #2 ahead of the Tesla Model Y climbing from outside the January Top 20 directly to #3. The Dacia Bigster improves to #4 with the Toyota Yaris Cross rounding out the Top 5. The Toyota bZ4X surges to #6, the BYD Dolphin is #7 and the Xpeng G6 #9. Leader in January, the Hyundai Tucson falls to #8 but remains in the YTD pole position.
The Toyota Aygo X is the best-seller in the Netherlands for the first time
The Dutch new car market continues to disappoint in 2026: after dropping -13.1% in January it is down another -19% in February to just 22,380 units. As a result the year-to-date tally is now off -16.4% or almost 10,000 sales to 50,366. Hybrid vehicles (including PHEVs) account for 58.4% of the market thanks to 13,059 registrations, BEVs are at 30.4% with 6,805, petrol at 9.4% with 2,111 and diesel at 1.7% with 381 sales. Kia (-32.8%) easily retains the brands top spot but falls from 12.6% in February 2025 to 10.6% this month. Toyota (-3.9%) and Volkswagen (-0.6%) contain their losses and complete the podium. Skoda (+27.9%) posts a fantastic YoY lift and is simply the only gainer in the Top 15β¦ Leapmotor (+4650%) is up to a record 22nd place with 1.3% share.
Model-wise, the Toyota Aygo X (+56.9%) brilliantly takes the overall lead with a dominant 3.5% share. This is the nameplateβs first victory in the Netherlands, when it was simply called Aygo it last reached #1 in December 2011. The Skoda Kodiaq (+26%) is also in excellent shape and climbs to #2. This is also a record, smashing its previous best of #6 reached in December 2024 and April 2025. The Kodiaq also ranks #2 year-to-date. The Ford Kuga (-22.7%), Kia Picanto (-39.2%) and Toyota Yaris Cross (-14.2%) round out the Top 5. The stars of 2025, the Skoda Elroq (+403.6%) is down to #14 and the Kia EV3 (-72.2%) down to #9. This is due to the end of some subsidies on BEVs.
The Foxtron is less than 50 sales away from the Top 10.
In February new car sales in Taiwan dive -19.9% to just 22,043 units, leading to a year-to-date volume down -8.7% to 57,116. Thereβs an easy explanation for this poor result: the later start of the Lunar New Year this year, with the Lunar New Year holiday from February 14th to 22nd, followed by the 228 Peace Memorial Day holiday starting on February 27th. This way, the actual number of working days for vehicle registrations in February was only 14.
In this troubled context,. Toyota (-8%) contains its fall to hold a strong 33% share, distancing Honda (-4.2%) at 7.1%. Mercedes (-22.2%) struggles year-on-year but is back up four spots on January to #3, ahead of Lexus (-46.4%) and CMC (-35.1%) both in very bad shape. Ford (+7.4%) and most impressively Suzuki (+32%) defy the negative environment with splendid YoY gains.
Model-wise, the Toyota Corolla Cross (+0.7%) dominates once again with 11.1% share, but this is below the 13.1% it held last month. In 2nd place, the Toyota RAV4 (+12.7%) is starting to reap the benefits of its new generation and is up to 8.1% share. The CMC J Space (-36.1%) freefalls but stays at #3 ahead of the new Ford Territory reaching a record #4. The Lexus NX (-15.3%) rounds out the Top 5. The Toyota bZ4X (+10850%) storms into the Top 10 for the first time at #10, smashing its previous ranking record of #27 established just last month. The big event of the month is the 13th place of the locally-manufactured Foxtron Bria with 390 sales and 1.8% share for its first full month in market. Foxtron also sells 6 units of the Cavira.
Itβs another difficult month for the Belgian new car market with February volume down -7.7% year-on-year to 37,075. This brings the year-to-date tally down -13.2% to 70,072, already more than 10,000 units below the same period in 2025. Encouragingly though, private sales register a year-on-year uptick at +1.6% to 19,909 units whereas fleet sales are down -16.5% to 20,568. Petrol sales are up to 17,527 and 47.3% share whereas BEVs (31.5% share) and HEVs (18.9%) are both down.
In the brands charts, Volkswagen (-4%) resists better than the market and holds onto the top spot with 10.1% share vs. 9.6% last month. Leader over the Full Year 2025, BMW (-23.2%) freefalls to 8.9% share while Renault (-25.9%) is also in a rut even though it gains three spots on January to #3. Peugeot (+11.2%), Dacia (+9%) and Mercedes (+4.3%) defy the negative context with YoY lifts, but itβs Opel (+37.5%) that delivers the best performance in the Top 10, up to #10 vs. #16 over the Full Year 2025. BYD (+119.3%) stands out below, while Tesla its back up 14.2% to #13.
The Leapmotor T03 is sold at β¬4,900 in Italy, earning it a 4th place overall in February.
Itβs an excellent month for new car sales in Italy at +14% year-on-year in February to 157,334 units. This way, the year-to-date tally is up a robust 10.2% to 299,373 sales. Private sales are up 9.5% 82,826 and 52.2% share vs. 54.4% in February 2025 (up 2.5% to 54.4% share YTD), self registrations are up 21.2% to 15,073 and 9.5% share vs. 8.9% last year (up 25.2% to 9.8% YTD), long term rentals are up 2.1% to 34,270 and 21.6% share vs. 24.1% a year ago (up 2.9% to 20.5% YTD), short term rentals shoot up 92.7% to 18,566 and 11.7% share vs. 6.9% (up 121.2% to 10.2% YTD) and company sales edge up 1.5% to 7,975 and 5% share vs. 5.6% (down -1% to 5% YTD).
Looking at sales by alimentation, Petrol is down -12% to 32,012 and 20.2% share vs. 26.1% in February 2025 (off -18.7% to 19.5% share YTD), diesel sinks -23.8% to 10,278 and 6.5% share vs. 9.7% (down -20.2% to 6.9% YTD), LPG implodes -42.7% to 8,008 and 5% share vs. 10% (down -37.8% to 5.7% YTD), HEVs are up 32.6% to 82,315 and 51.9% share vs. 44.6% a year ago (up 28.4% to 52.1% YTD). This is split between 23,985 full hybrids (+38.1%) and 58,330 mild hybrids (+30.4%). PHEVs shoot up 116.2% to 13,525 and 8.5% share vs. 4.5% a year ago (up 130.1% to 8.6% YTD) and finally BEVs gain 80.5% to 12,572 and 7.9% share vs. 5% in February 2025 (up 60.9% to 7.3% share YTD). This means rechargeable cars account for 16.4% of the Italian market this month vs. 9.5% a year ago. (15.9% vs. 9.1% YTD).
First podium finish at home for the Fiat Grande Panda
In the brands ranking, Fiat surges 42.9% year-to-date and finally regains some of its shine. At 13.4% share, and after hitting 13.5% last month, the brands returns to levels not seen in 3 years. Toyota (+0.8%) is stable at #2 but underperforms given the market growth rate. Itβs the same story for Volkswagen (+3.7%). In contrast Renault (+33.8%) is up three spots on January to #4, toppling Peugeot (-2.8%), Audi (+27.8%) and Dacia (-39.8%) enduring another awful month. At #10, MG (+18.5%) is inside the Italian Top 10 for the third time after March and December 2025 when it also ranked #10. Extraordinary month for Leapmotor (+2197.2%), more than doubling its previous record volume to over 5,000 sales and 3.2% share, thanks to BEV subsidies coupled with strong incentives. Also benefitting is BYD (+204.4%) up to #15 and 2.6% share.
Looking at the models ranking, the Fiat Panda (+5.9%) trails the market to 8% share, selling more than twice the #2, the Jeep Avenger (+28.3%) at 3.8%. We have a little event in third place: the new Fiat Grande Panda delivers its first ever podium finish at home and seems to finally find its groove as production in Serbia gears up. It holds 3.5% of the market and only 5.4% of its February volume comes from the BEV variant. The big event of the month is the 4th place of the Leapmotor T03 with just under 4,800 sales and 3% share. This is becauseΒ its price reduced to β¬4,900 after incentives and a further β¬3,000 rebate from the manufacturer. Its advertising campaign promotes it as βcheaper than your bikeβ. The Toyota Aygo X (+93.6%), Renault Clio (+57.6%), Captur (+35.7%) and Toyota Yaris Cross (+25%) also impress among the Top 10 best-sellers. Two recent launches break into the Top 50 for the first time: the BYD Atto 2 at #37 and the Dacia Bigster at #50.
The Seat Ibiza is the best-seller at home for the first time since April 2018.
The Spanish new car market returns to very dynamic growth rates in February at +7.5% year-on-year to 97,082 units. This lift would be even higher at +13.5% if we remove the extra 4,800 year-ago sales linked to insurance replacements in the wake of the devastating 2024 floods. The year-to-date tally is now up 4.6% to 170,186. Exactly like last month, sales to rental companies pull the market up at +22.6% to 24,968 with other channels weaker but in positive: private sales are up 4.1% to 41,988 and company sales up 1.6% to 30,126. Year-to-date, rental sales are up 32.1% to 34,984, private sales off -1% to 77,763 and company sales down -0.4% to 57,439.
Rechargeable vehicle sales (BEV+PHEV) soar 61.2% to 20,981 and 21.6% share vs. 14.4% in January 2025 and are up 55.6% YTD to 36,196 and 21.3% share vs. 14.3% in 2025. Galicia (+31%), La rioja (+29.2%), Aragon (+25.5%), Cantabria (+18.3%), Andalucia (+18.1%) and Madrid (+17.4%) are the most dynamic regions.
The BYD Atto 2 is up to a record 15th place in February.
In the brands ranking, Toyota (+3.3%) continues to dominate at 8.7% share, distancing Renault (-10.1%) in great difficulty but back up four spots on January to #2, Volkswagen (+7.8%) up one rank to #3 and Seat (-1.4%) down two to #4. Kia (-10.3%) struggles at #5 while Mercedes (+34.1%) lodges another fantastic month at #6. Audi (+34.9%), BMW (+21%) and Skoda (+19.8%) also surge ahead below. BYD (+203%) triples its sales year-on-year and reaches a record 3.1% share, also hit in November and December. Local Chery assembler Ebro (+592.4%) breaks all records: #18 (also hit in December), 2,361 sales and 2.4% share. Omoda (+131%) reaches an all time high #19 just as Tesla (+73.7%) is back up to #23.
Model-wise, the Seat Ibiza (+18.6%) lurches to the first place at home, a very rare event as it hasnβt happened in almost 8 years: since April 2018. By the same token the Ibiza takes the YTD lead whereas it ranked #4 over the Full Year 2025. The Dacia Sandero (+5%) is back in positive and ends the months just 10 sales below the Ibiza. Its YTD tally remains in the red at -18.7% but it ranks #2 there also. The Toyota C-HR (+31.9%) is up to the third step of the podium, its best ranking since December 2024 when it led the charts outright. The Toyota Yaris Cross (+38.6%) posts the biggest gain in the Top 13 and is up 9 ranks on January to #5. Notice also the Nissan Qashqai up 15.4% to #8 and the BYD Atto 2 up 6861.1% to a record #15, its previous best beingβ¦ #65 last August.
Omoda Jaecoo is the most popular carmaker in Israel in February.
According to data by our local partner cartube.co.il, the Israeli new car market is up a sturdy 10.6% year-on-year in February to 27,214 units. The year-to-date tally however remains in negative at -3.4% to 68,832. After breaking all records in January, Omoda Jaecoo (+264.5%) spectacularly steps up to the overall pole position with an all-time high 13.5% share. It distances Toyota (-5.7%) in difficulty and a surging Chery (+125.5%) at 12% share. #1 in January, Hyundai (-33.8%) falls to #4 ahead of Kia (+19.2%) in excellent shape. MG (+210%) and BYD (+76.2%) also make themselves noticed in the remainder of the Top 10. Further down, Deepal (+483.3%), Opel (+200%), Audi (+186.8%) and Geely (+154.1%) stand out. All in all, Chinese carmakers account for 41.4% of the Israeli market in February.
Only 5,591 new cars found a buyer in Slovakia in January, a poor -15.4% year-on-year drop. Keep in mind January 2025 was already down -16.8% on the year prior. The top 2 best-selling carmakers resist better than the market: Skoda is off -1.7% to 21.4% share vs. 20.1% over the Full Year 2025 and Volkswagen edges down -3.3% to 11% share vs. 9.5%. Hyundai (-46.9%), Kia (-39.6%) and Toyota (-23.2%) are all pummelled below. In contrast Suzuki (+76.3%) and Opel (+51.4%) completely ignore the depressed environment and climb to #9 and #7 respectively. Alfa Romeo (+581.8%), Fiat (+275.9%) and Nissan (+107.5%) stand out further down.
Over in the models charts, the Skoda Octavia (-6.6%) holds onto the lead with 4.8% share, distancing a surging Toyota Corolla (+44%) up 9 spots on December to #2. The Skoda Fabia (-21.1%) ranks #3 ahead of the Kia Ceed (-42.1%) which was #1 a year ago. The Skoda Kamiq (+44.3%), Hyundai Tucson (+33%) and Nissan Qashqai (+138.3%) also shine in the remainder of the Top 10. Other spectacular gainers include the VW T-Roc (+263.3%), Suzuki Vitara (+218.5%), Opel Mokka (+192.6%) and Suzuki S-Cross (+105.7%).
The Citroen C3 is the most popular vehicle in France in February.
Itβs another horrendous month for new car registrations in France, with February off -14.7% year-on-year to just 120,764 units. The year-to-date tally is now off -11.1% to 227,921. Keep in mind 2025 was the weakest year since 1975, so we are entering even worse territory now. Petrol sales sink -48.1% to 18,206 and 15.1% share vs. 24.8% share a year ago and diesel crashes -53.8% to 3,098 and 2.6% share vs. 4.7^ in February 2025. HEVs drop -16.2% to 52,069 and 43.1% share vs. 43.9% last year, PHEVs edge up 3.2% to 6,655 and 5.5% share vs. 4.6% a year ago. Finally BEVs surge 27.8% to 32,371 and 26.8% share vs. 17.9% in February 2025. Year-to-date, petrol drops -48.5% to 33,532 and 14.7% share vs. 25.4% over the same period in 2025, diesel is off -51.8% to 5,619 and 2.5% share vs. 4.6%, HEVs edge down -4.9% to 108,061 and 47.4% share vs. 44.3%, PHEVs step up 1.5% to 11,476 and 5% share vs. 4.4% and BEVs surge 38.5% to 62,679 and 27.5% share vs. 17.7% over the first 2 months of 2025.Β
Best result since last September for the Tesla Model Y.
Renault (-16.5%) and Peugeot (-20.7%) both disappoint and fall faster than the market to 16.9% and 14.7% share respectively. For once Citroen (+0.9%) braves the negative context and stays in third place with 9.7% share. Even though it rallies back up two spots on January, Dacia (-36.3%) remains in hell year-on-year with just 6.8% share vs. 9.1% a year ago in February 2025. This situation is uncharacteristic for the low cost brand and is starting to be a little worrying. Volkswagen (-21%) stays at #5 while Toyota (-19%) is down two ranks to #6. BMW (-27.2%) is up three spots on January to #7 but struggles year-on-year, while Skoda (+5.9%) is strong once again at #8. The winners of the month are Tesla (+55.1%) up 16 ranks on last month to #9 with 3.1% share, the carmakerβs best result since last September, Opel (+51.1%) and Fiat (+60.6%). Further down, MG is estimated to gain 8.3% at #17 and BYD should grow by 82.7% at #22.Β
The new generation Citroen C5 Aircross is up to a record #16.
We have a surprise in the models charts: the Citroen C3 (-25.9%) snaps the pole position despite freefalling year-on-year, with 24% of its February volume coming from the e-C3 BEV. This is the third time the C3 nameplate is #1 in France after October 2019 andΒ January 2025. Note that like in 2019, the C3 benefits from the Clio generation changeover (the Clio nameplate would be #1 this month). The C3 Β outsells the Peugeot 208 (-29.5%) in even worse shape while the Peugeot 2008 (-20.8%) is up to #3, its best ranking since July 2022. Now discontinued, the Renault Clio V logically drops -55.9% to #4, followed by a crashing Dacia Sandero (-41.3%). In contrast the Tesla Model Y (+74.6%) surges ahead to #7 and 2.5% share and back to the BEV pole position above the Renault 5 (-13%) at #9. Up to #7 in January, the Renault Clio VI falls back to #11 as the βtrueβ sales begin after a public launch in January when demo sales accounted for the large majority of its volume. The new Citroen C5 Aircross II is up to a record #16 whereas the Renault 4 falls 15 ranks to #44.
Promotions on the outgoing generations push the Nissan Navara to #4.
New light vehicle sales in New Zealand are up 8.7% year-on-year in January to 11,807 units. Brand leader Toyota (-4.2%) suffers and sees its share thaw to 19.9% vs. 24% over the Full Year 2025. Mitsubishi (+42%) is euphoric and overtakes Ford (+19.6%) for 2nd place overall. Kia (+18.9%) is back up to the #4 spot it held over the Full Year 2025. The rest of the Top 9 all beat the market, with MG (+36.1%) the most dynamic above Nissan (+32.4%), Mazda (+23.5%), BYD (+21.9%) and GWM (+13.1%).
Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (+24.4%) return to #1 for the first time since last June, overtaking last yearβs leader the Toyota RAV4 (-37.3%) handicapped by a generation changeover. It is also the case for the Toyota Hilux (-64.7%) imploding to #13. The Mitsubishi ASX (+51.9%) repeats in third place above the Nissan Navara (+139.6%) and Mitsubishi Outlander (+68.8%). Excellent performances also by the Toyota Corolla Cross (+173.8%), Kia Stonic (+104.6%) and Toyota Hiace (+109%).
Leapmotor reclaimed the top spot from Huawei's HIMA with 28,067 vehicles sold in February's slow season. Xpeng ranked last among the major NEV startup players.
Once launched, the ID. Era 9X will become SAIC-Volkswagenβs largest model, and compete directly with other β9-seriesβ flagship models such as the Zeekr 9X, Li Auto L9, and IM LS9.
This concept car debut is seen as a key move by Xiaomi Auto to penetrate the global high-performance car market and advance its European expansion strategy.