The AI boom has resulted in TSMC battling to increase its manufacturing capacity for clients to fulfill 3nm chip orders, leaving a massive opportunity for Samsung to capitalize on. However, even though the Korean giant has made strides in bringing its 2nm GAA technology to U.S. soilΒ in the form of its Taylor plant, its reliability in manufacturing higher volume at stable yields remains in question. While there have been talks of Samsung becoming a viable alternative to TSMC, companies like Tesla and Qualcomm are only considering a dual-sourcing strategy because they now have a backup option to a foundry that [β¦]
The BMW iX3 hits a record ranking for the nameplate.
11,098 new cars hit Norwegian roads in April, a small -1.7% year-on-year decline. The year-to-date tally is now down -10.7% to 38,273. BEVs are up 0.1% to 10,952 and reach a new record share at 98.7%, eclipsing its previous best of 98.4% hit just last month. Year-to-date BEV sales are down -5% to 37,569 and 98.2% share. For the month, petrol is at 31 sales and 0.3% share, diesel at 87 and 0.8%, PHEVs at 25 and 0.2% share HEVs at 8 and 0.1% share.Β
Volkswagen (-23.5%) is the most popular brand in the country in April and for the 2nd time this year after January. The German carmaker is at 15.6% share vs. 10.6% YTD. It is followed by a surging Toyota (+66.4%) at 12.8% share vs. 10.8% so far this year. Faraway leader YTD, Tesla crashes -61.2% to #11, going from 6,150 sales in March to just 379 in April, confirming its end of quarter backloading. Peugeot (+150.6%), Mercedes (+48.1%), Xpeng (+40.8%) and BYD (+26.8%) all shine in the remainder of the Top 10.
Over in the models charts, the VW ID.4 (+7.9%) is up five spots on last month to take the lead for the first time since July 2024. It distances the new Toyota Urban Cruiser, a rebadged Suzuki e Vitara, up six ranks to a record 2nd place. The VW ID.3 (-12.4%) follows ahead of the BMW iX3 (+4000%) boosted by the new generation to #7, an all time high ranking for the nameplate, beating its previous best of #7 treated back in July 2021. The Toyota bZ4X (-40.3%) and new C-HR+ round out the Top 5. The Tesla Model Y (-62.5%) plunges to #9 but remains by far the #1 YTD model at 15% share.
The Toyota C-HR+ ranks #9 in the Netherlands in April.
The Dutch new car market drops -4.8% year-on-year in April to 25,704 units, bringing the year-to-date tally down -9.9% to 106,611. HEV sales are up 1.7% to 13,562 and 52.8% share vs. 49.1% a year ago in April 2025, BEVs are up 4.5% to 9,616 and 37.4% share vs. 33.9%, petrol freefalls -50.6% to 1,928 and 7.5% share vs. 14.4% a year ago and diesel is down -23.7% to 468 and 1.8% share vs. 2.3%.
In the brands charts, Kia (-14.1%) remains the favourite even though it falls much faster than the market. It is followed by Toyota (+11%) up one spot on last month to #2, a ranking it now also holds year-to-date, surpassing Volkswagen (+11.6%) also ranking #3 for the month. Skoda (-21.7%) and Renault (-11%) are in trouble and round out the Top 5. Audi (+23.3%) lodges the best performance in the Top 10 with Hyundai (+11.4%) also in great shape. Further down, notice Leapmotor (+99%), BYD (+92.9%), MG (+46.5%) and Mazda (+36.8%) all positing fantastic scores.
Model-wise, the Skoda Elroq (-18.6%) reclaims the top spot it last held in November, and has now ranked #1 four times over the past 12 months. It is however #8 year-to-date whereas it ended 2025 on top. The Kia Picanto (-0.8%) is stable at #2, while the Toyota Aygo X (+49.9%) and Hyundai Kona (+48.7%) surge ahead. The Aygo X is #1 year-to-date. Leader a year ago, the Kia EV3 falls a harsh -40.6% to #5, distancing a soaring Ford Kuga (+55.4%). The new Toyota C-HR+ is up 71 spots on last month to spectacularly break into the Top 10 for its first full month in market. #1 last month, the Tesla Model Y (+100%) falls to #10 but doubles its sales year-on-year, bring its YTD tally into positive territory.
The Mitsubishi Colt lands at #7 in Iceland in April.
New car sales in Iceland drop a harsh -28.6% year-on-year in April to just 1,033. However thanks to a stunning Q1 result (+54.3%), the year-to-date tally after 4 months is still in frank positive at +21.9% to Β 4,516. This month Toyota (-27.5%) takes the lead of the brands charts despite match the marketβs fall. It distances Kia (-67.6%), which is still leader year-to-date.
Suzuki (+88.9%) and even more strikingly Mitsubishi (+971.4%) brave the gloomy context to post sensations gains. Renault (+614.3%) and Peugeot (+166.7%) also show great health in the remainder of the Top 10. BYD (-5.6%) is the best-selling Chinese brand at #9, followed by Xpeng (+8%) at #11. Tesla is off -68% to #13.
Model-wise, the Kia Sportage returns to the top spot it holds year-to-date, followed by the Toyota Yaris and Mitsubishi Outlander. The Renault Trafic and Suzuki Vitara round out the Top 5 ahead of the Suzuki Swift and a new entry: the Mitsubishi Colt, a rebadge of the Renault Clio. Notice also the Opel Frontera at #11, the Smart #5 at #13 and the BYD Sealion 7 at #17.
The Dongfeng Box has a great start in New Zealand.
New light vehicle sales in New Zealand soar 25.1% year-on-year in March to 14,910 units, leading to a Q1 volume up 12.5% to 36,910. In the detail, passenger cars gain 19.4% to 10,063 sales while light commercials shoot up 38.9% to 4,847. Toyota (+8.6%) canβt match the flying market and holds 18.7% share vs. 18% so far this year. Ford (+31.3%) manages an excellent score at #2 unlike Mitsubishi (-14.1%) at #3. BYD (+221.9%) is up 3-fold year-on-year to #4 and 5.8% share, thatβs a new ranking record eclipsing its previous best of #5 reached in December 2023 and June 2025. Tesla is up 271% to #8 and Dongfeng ranks #14 with 2.3% share.
Over in the models charts, the Toyota Hilux (+76.7%) gets a big new generation boost and claims the top spot for the first time since last July. The Ford Ranger (+46.1%) is relegated to 2nd place but holds onto the #1 ranking YTD. The Tesla Model Y surges to third place with 3.2% share, its best ranking since topping the charts outright in September 2023. The Mitsubishi Triton (-15.2%) and Nissan Navara (+6.5%) ensure there are four pickup trucks inside the March Top 5. The Toyota Hiace (+115.3%), Hyundai Tucson (#7), Toyota Corolla Cross (+65.9%) and MG ZS (+50.8%) also shine below. Finally the Dongfeng Box makes a splash at #12 and 1.7% for its first full month of sales.
The Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling vehicle in Slovenia in March.
6,535 new cars found a buyer in Slovenia in March, a very strong 23.6% year-on-year improvement. The Q1 volume is up 12.5% to 16,501. Volkswagen (+11.6%) tops the brands charts at 12.3% share ahead of Skoda (+22.8%) at 11.9%. Renault (+16.7%) stays in third place but the performance of the month is delivered by Tesla, up 173.5% year-on-year and 22 spots on February to land at a record 4th place with 6.2% share. Previous best was #6 in March and November 2023 and 5% share in March 2023. Nissan (+64%) and Dacia (+107.1%) also impress below.
The Tesla Model 3 (+363.2%) is up 5-fold year-on-year to spectacularly take the models ranking lead with 5.4% share. It now ranks #7 year-to-date vs. #45 over the Full Year 2025. This is the Model 3βs first monthly win in Slovenia, its previous best being #2 in November 2023. The Nissan Qashqai (+94.4%) also has a fantastic month at #2, distancing the Skoda Octavia (-7.4%), #1 last month but #3 in March. The Renault Clio (+178.3%) surges year-on-year but has to settle for 4th place even though it remains #1 year-to-date.
Chery sells the Omoda and Jaecoo brands in Singapore
Itβs a sturdy month for new car sales in Singapore with March volumes up 16.5% year-on-year to 5,049. This brings the Q1 tally up 22.1% to 13,322 units. BYD (+40.9%) further strengthens its grip on the market with a splendid 22.8% share vs. 24.3% so far this year. Toyota (+0.8%) can only edge up and ends the month just 20 sales above a surging Tesla (+308.6%). Meanwhile BMW (-41.7%), Mercedes (-33.1%) and Honda (-48.7%) are in complete freefall. Chery (+550%), MG (+403.7%), GAC (+176.5%) and to a lesser extent Nissan (+49.5%) all post surreal gains in the remainder of the Top 10.