The Foxtron Bria has (shyly) landed in the Taiwanese charts.
Stable market in Taiwan in January at +0.03% to 35,073 units. Back from record-setting year-ago results, Toyota (-9%) and Lexus (-11.6%) both recede this month. In contrast Honda (+90.2%) and Ford (+115.3%) excel and rank #3 and #5 respectively. Mitsubishi (+55%) and Hyundai (+32.6%) also impress while CMC (+5.8%) lodges a positive score and is back up to #4. Up to a record #2 with 11.7% share in December, Tesla only sells 6 units in January.
Model-wise, the Toyota Corolla Cross (+6.2%) continues to vastly dominate with 13.1% share, its best since last July. The Toyota RAV4 (-13.5%) is a little weaker as the transition towards the 6th generation has started. The CMC J Space (+11.8%) holds its own at #3 ahead of the Lexus NX (-2%) back up eight spots on last month to #4. Launched in December, the locally-produced Ford Territory climbs to a solid 5th place with 3.8% share. The Honda HR-V (+267%) shoots up year-on-year but drops four ranks on last month to #8. We welcome the locally assembled Mitsubishi Xforce at #12. Finally, a (shy) new entrant is local manufacturer Foxtronβs first model, the Bria compact SUV, which sold 14 units in January.
Peugeot sales are up 27.5% in a devastated market.
Horrible start of the year for the Belgian new car market at -18.7% to 32,997 units. This is on top of January 2025 volumes being already down -13% on the year prior. One of the explanations of this poor result is the new EURO norm implemented on January 1, 2026 and that pulled sales forward to December. On note is the 36.7% share of BEVs.
In the brands ranking, Volkswagen (-12.7%) lodges its first monthly win since last September wth a solid 9.6% share. BMW (-47.8%) implodes on a particularly strong year-ago result when it broke its share record at 14.8%. Mercedes (-16.5%) returns to the third place it held over the Full Year 2025, ahead Peugeot (+27.5%) delivering a splendid score. Below, BYD (+92.7%), Fiat (+68.3%), Skoda (+46.9%) and Opel (+38.9%) also defy the negative context with double-digit YoY gains.
Audi holds 4.9% of the Croatian market in January.
The Croatian new car market suffers in January at -11.5% year-on-year to 3,946 units. Skoda (-2.6%) and Volkswagen (-6.2%) both improve their share and are separated by only one sale. Toyota (+13.8%) defies the negative context at #3 like last month, followed by Suzuki (-25%) and Opel (-26.9%) both cratering. Audi (+9.7%) is the only gainer in the remainder of the Top 10, reaching a record 6th place (previous best: #7 in March 2025). Renault (-50.6%), Dacia (-49%), Ford (-30.7%) and Hyundai (-25%) are hit particularly hard below. MG (+120%), Forthing (+106.7%) and Volvo (+24.2%) shine.
Model-wise, the VW T-Cross (-27.8%) is the best-seller like one year ago but sees its sales plunge. The Skoda Octavia (-11.4%) follows the market at #2 while the Suzuki Vitara (-29.8%) is in trouble at #3. In contrast, the VW Tiguan (+37.3%), Skoda Kamiq (+25%) and Suzuki S-Cross (+16.7%) all deliver excellent performances. The MG ZS (+142.9%), Toyota Yaris (+121.7%) and Skoda Karoq (+97.1%) all impress.
Omoda-Jaecoo holds a record 11.6% of the Israeli market in January.
According to data shared with us by our local partner cartube.co.il, new car sales in Israel are down -10.7% year-on-year in January to 41,618 units, however the year-ago comparison point was particularly high. Hyundai (-9.5%) is back to the #1 brand spot for the first time since February 2025, but the event of the month is in 2nd place: just one unit below, Omoda-Jaecoo (+157%) smashes its share record to 11.6%, with its previous best being 8.5% last May. This is also the carmakerβs highest ranking and volume. Toyota (-3.2%) and Kia (-11.5%) follow, while last monthβs leader Chery (+55.7%) sports astounding growth at #5. Deepal (+412.9%), Citroen (+41.4%) and BYD (+27%) also impress below. All in all, Chinese manufacturers account for 37.6% share vs. 29.7% over the Full Year 2025.
The Russian new car market falls -9.5% year-on-year in January to 80,604 units. Lada (-28.7%) collapses and fall from 30.9% share in January 2025 to just 24.4% now. Haval (-9.3%) follows the market to 13.3% share while newcomer Tenet smashes its share record from 8.9% in December to 11.1% this month. Tenet is a China-Russia joint venture which assembles rebadged Chery vehicles at the Kaluga plant, previously owned by Volkswagen. Geely (-24.1%) disappoints at #4 ahead of Belgee (+62.2%) up significantly year-on-year but down one spot on December to #5. Toyota (+79.2%) repeats at #7 and scores a 6th consecutive Top 10 finish. Surprise at #9: we have Mazda (+970.4%) which isnβt officially present in Russiaβ¦ This is a record ranking for the brand, also hit in January 2021.
Model-wise, the Lada Granta (-33.5%) sinks but stays on top ahead of the Haval Jolion (+5.5%). The new Tenet T7, a localised version of the Chery Tiggo 7L, improves to 5.2% share in third place while the Tenet T4 (aka Chery Tiggo 4) is up to 5.1%. Below a freefalling Lada Vesta (-62.1%), the Niva Travel (-3.2%) contains its loss and is up two spots on last month to #6. The new Lada Iskra, slotting between the Granta and Vesta within the carmakerβs lineup, continues to gear up and progresses from #10 in December to #8 with 2.7%. Justifying the stunning performance of the Japanese brand, the Mazda CX-5 (+1449.2%) shoots up to #9, which is actually the nameplateβs very first incursion in the Russian Top 10, with its previous best being #14 in February 2021.
New vehicle sales in Australia start the year in a timid way with a tiny +0.1% increase to 87,753 units. This is a counter performance as January 2025 sales were negatively impacted by a shipping port strike and biosecurity delays. Private sales edge up 0.5% to 44,150 while business sales drop -2.9% to 32,851 and short term rentals surge +47% to 5,258, denoting an artificial overall market growth. Government sales are off -11.7% to 2,364. Note this excludes Polestar, Tesla and heavy commercials. Excluding heavy commercials again, petrol sales are down -14.7% to 33,144, diesel is down a measured -3.7% to 24,439, HEV is up a shy 2% to 15,131 and weβll see why shortly, BEVs shoot up 93.3% to 7,409 and 8.4% share (this is till below the 9.5% reached in January 2023. Finally PHEVs soar 170.5% to 5,161.Β
SUVs edge up 0.7% to 53,666 and 61.2% share vs. 60.8% in January 2025 and 55.5% two years ago, light commercials fall -2.5% to 17,0995 and 20.5% share vs. 21.1% last year and 22.9% in 2024, passenger cars bounce back up slightly at +4.2% to 13,623 and 15.5% share vs. 14.9% in January 2025 and 18.3% two years ago. Heavy commercials are up 2.8% to 2,469. Looking at sales by State and Territories (excluding Tesla and Polestar), three are in positive: Victoria up 6.3% to 24,222, New South Wales at +2.3% to 26,305 and Australian Capital Territory at +2% to 1,160. The rest suffer, with Northern Territory hit the hardest at -18.1% to 628, Western Australia off -12.7% to 8,952, South Australia down -3% to 5,619, Tasmania down -0.8% to 1,424 and Queensland off -0.7% to 18,782. As for country of origin, Japan is down -24.6% to 22,943, China up a tremendous 62.9% to 20,921 and 23.8% share vs. 14.7% a year ago (impacted by biosecurity delays in Australian ports), Thailand is down 7.7% to 17,072, South Korea up 3.6% to 11,277 and Germany up 20.5% to 4,346.
The Mazda CX-5 is on the Australian podium for the first time in four years.
Itβs a month to forget for Toyota at -22.3% year-on-year to 14.1% share, its lowest in almost three years: since March 2023 (13.6%) which was affected by stock shortages and quarantine-related issues. Mazda (-7.6%) is traditionally stronger in January, but not this year: it holds 7.6% of the market, just above the 7.4% it commanded over the Full Year 2025. Kia (+15.4%) posts a splendid score and climbs to #3, a ranking it last reached last September. Ford (-10.5%) is relegated to 4th place while Hyundai (+6.9%) is solid and rounds out the Top 5. BYD (+640.9%) surges (year-ago volumes impacted by shipping issues) to #6 and #1 Chinese brand like last month. Fellow Chinese GWM (+31.3%) also impresses but Chery (+105.8%) hits a record monthly volume for the 12th consecutive time! It is also at its best ever share (3.7%). Geely (#22) and Omoda Jaecoo (#23) both hit record rankings. We welcome Chinese van-maker Farizon at #52 with its first 7 sales.
Over in the models charts, the Ford Ranger (-20%) reclaims the top spot despite a harsh year-on-year fall, it distances the Toyota Hilux (-15.2%) also hit hard as the new generation trickles into dealerships. The Mazda CX-5 (+22.3%) is the surprise of the month: although due to be renewed later this year, it delivers a record third place (also hit in August 2020 and January 2022) and #1 SUV, a spot it held for many years before being toppled by the Toyota RAV4. Talking of which, the RAV4 (-65.4%) collapses to #10 as stock of the outgoing generation is dwindling in the wake of the new model hitting dealerships in March. The RAV4 will surely fall further down over the next few months as there wonβt be any additional shipments of the old gen. Meanwhile the Chery Tiggo 4 (+119.4%) is back to an all-time high #4 also hit last November, and the Mitsubishi Outlander (-5.5%) is back up six spots on last month to #5 despite a YoY loss. At #6, the Ford Everest (+13.9%) once again outsells its archenemy the Toyota Prado (-51.1%) down to #14. The Hyundai Kona (+41.4%) is back up to an outstanding #7, with the GWM Haval Jolion (+39.1%) also very strong at #9.
The Kia K4 SW ranks inside the Top 10 for its first month of sales.
New car sales in Sweden are down a daunting -18.3% year-on-year to 16,041 units.Β The decrease is due, among other things, to the large increase in ethanol cars in January last year, ahead of changed tax rules that came into effect on February 1, 2025. This resulted in a record high share of ethanol cars of 8.5%, which will fall back to 0.5% this year. It also resulted in a surprise third place of Subaru in the brands ranking. The share of plug-in cars is at 64.2% vs. 51.6% a year ago, with BEVs up 18.6% to 41.8% share vs. 28.8% a year ago while PHEVs drop -18.8% to 3,582 but keep their share stable at 22.3% vs. 22.7% last year.
Local behemoth Volvo (-25.9%) drops faster than the market to a weak 14.3% share to be compared with 19.3% in December and 17.9% over the Full Year 2025. Volkswagen (-35.2%) fares even worse to 11.5% vs. 15.9% last month. Toyota (+0.9%) is stable, a good performance in the current context and reaches 10% share vs. 8.1% over FY 2024. However the next two carmakers do much better: Kia is up 12.6% and Mercedes up 46.5%. Tesla (+26.4%), Skoda (+10.8%) and BMW (+0.2%) are also up in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, Seat (+120.8%), Citroen (+112.9%), Fiat (+98.1%) and Renault (+59.9%) are among the best performers.
The Volvo EX/XC40 (+115.1%) surges to the pole position for the second time in the past 3 months with 5.1% share, albeit below the 5.8% it commanded in December. Leader over the Full Year 2025, the Volvo XC60 (-54.8%) collapses year-on-year but still manages a strong 2nd place. The Tesla Model Y (+68%) bounces back up to #3, distancing the VW ID.7 (-42.7%) and Polestar 4 (+123.3%) faring in totally opposed ways. The Toyota bZ4X (+260.5%) is up 27 spots to break into the Top 10 for the first time at #8. The Kia K4 SW does the same for its very first appearance in the charts at #9, probably all demo sales as the model hasnβt officially launched just yet. Notice also the Renault 5 (#19), BMW iX1 (#22), VW Tayron (#24) and Mercedes A Class (#29).
The Skoda Octavia is up to a record 2nd place in January.
Mediocre start of the year for the Romanian new car market with sales down a painful -33.5% year-on-year to just 7,927. In all European markets we have covered so far (France, Spain and Italy), Dacia has endured appalling falls. Itβs even more true at home where the brand is off a devastating -64% to just 18.2% share, which points at potential supply issues on top of unfavourable market conditions in Romania (December was particularly high and may have triggered pull forward sales). This is Daciaβs weakest market share since February 2021 (16.1%). Toyota (-19.4%) and Skoda (-22.6%) are both up one spot on last month to #2 and #3 respectively, taking advantage of Renaultβs freefall (-64.9%), falling from #2 to #10. Volkswagen (-21.7%) is up two ranks to #4 while Mercedes (-13.3%) resists and gains 6 spots to #5, a record last reached almost 10 years ago in March 2015. BMW (-13.9%) and Ford (-18.3%) also contain their loss somewhat but the hero of the month is BYD (+311100%) cracking the Romanian Top 10 for the first time at #9 with 3.9% share, its previous best being #12 and 1.9% just last month.
Looking at the models charts, the Dacia Duster (-41.9%) is the faraway leader, selling more than twice as much as any other vehicle in market. It share (8.2%) is however below its Full Year 2025 level at 9%. The Skoda Octavia (-31.5%) is up six spots to #2, a record for the nameplate, last reached in April 2017. This means perennial leader the Dacia Logan (-75.7%) β #1 for the past 21 straight years β is down to #3, its lowest ranking at home since September 2022 (#4). The Toyota Yaris Cross (+27.8%) is up 8 spots on last month to a best-ever #4 (previous best #9), followed by the Toyota Corolla (+12.8%), both models actually up year-on-year. The new Dacia Bigster is down just one rank on December to #6 while the Tesla Model Y is up 333.3% to #8 and the new BYD Seal U breaks into the Top 10 at #9.
The Fiat Grande Panda is up to a record 4th place at home in January.
Itβs a solid start of the year for the Italian new car market, with sales up 6.2% to 141.980 units. However private sales drop -3.8% to 81,585 and 56.9% share vs. 63% a year ago. Artificial sales channels pull the market up: self registrations soar 29.2% to 14,525 and short term rentals surge 188% to 12,460 and 8.7% share vs. 3.2% in January 2025. Meanwhile long term leases are up 3.2% to 27,526 and 19.2% share vs. 19.8% last year. Petrol is down -25.4%, diesel down -16.6% and LPG down -32.8%. HEVs gain 23.7% to 74,742 including 20,604 full hybrids (+32.8%) and 54,138 mild hybrids (+20.6%). PHEVs shoot up 152% to 12,502 and 8.7% share vs. 3.7% and BEVs advance 40.6% to 9,446 and 6.6% share vs. 5% a year ago.
In the brands charts, Fiat (+20.5%) finally posts a strong month at 13.5% share vs. 8.6% in December, its highest level at home since January 2023 (14%). Toyota (+0.3%) and Volkswagen (+3%) camp on their FY25 positions to round out the podium. Peugeot (-2%) is down year-on-year but up 8 spots on December to #4 ahead of Audi (+2.6%) at #5, its highest ranking since May 2024. Like in France and Spain, Dacia (-40.8%) is hit hard at #6. Below, Leapmotor (+594.4%), Omoda+Jaecoo (+357.1%), BYD (+329.6%), Cupra (+51.8%), Mini (+40.7%), Mercedes (+30.2%) and Opel (+11.3%) stand out.
Model-wise, the Fiat Panda (-0.2%) is stable year-on-year and accounts for 9.4% of its home market vs. just 5.8% in December and 6.7% over the Full Year 2025. The Jeep Avenger (+9.6%) is back up to a record 2nd place, also hit in April, May and September 2025. The Citroen C3 (-23%) falls heavily year-on-year but is up seven spots on last month to #3. Last year I highlighted the fact the Fiat Grande Panda had disappointed, finishing the year at a paltry #37. This month proves me wrong: the model is up 16 ranks on December to land at a record 4th position, beating its previous best of #8 hit last September. TheΒ Grande Panda sells at 95% in its HEV variant. The next few months will tell whether this was just a fluke or the start of a long term trend and a much needed 2nd success for the brand at home. Meanwhile the Toyota Aygo X (+72.3%) is up spectacularly to #5, simply the nameplateβs first incursion inside Italyβs Top 5.
The Peugeot 208 is the best-selling vehicle in Spain in January.
Spanish new car sales edge up 1.1% year-on-year in January to 73,103 units, which is a much lower growth rate that this market had got us used to in the past few months. It can be partly explained by the extra 4,000 year-ago sales linked to insurance replacements in the wake of the devastating 2024 floods. Without these sales the market would be up 7% this month, which is more in line with current evolutions. The market is single handedly pulled up by sales to rental companies surging 63.5% to 10,016. Indeed private sales are off -6.4% to 35,775 and company sales down -2.4% to 27,312. Rechargeable cars (BEV+PHEV) soar 48.3% to 15,212 units and 20.8% share vs. 14.8% a year ago and believed to be a new record. La rioja (+23.2%), Cantabria (+17.8%), Galicia (+16.2%) and Madrid (+12^) are the best performing regions.
Looking at the brands ranking, Toyota (-5.5%) reclaims the lead it held over the Full Year 2025 with a splendid 9.7% share vs. 7.2% last month. Seat (+36.7%) posts a very satisfying score and climbs to #2 and 6.9% share, its best showing since March 2025. Peugeot (+43.6%) does even better and surges to third place vs. #8 over the FY2025. Rounding out the Top 5, Volkswagen (+10.6%) and Mercedes (+4%) both beat the market, with the latter hitting a new ranking record at #5. BMW (+21.7%), Skoda (+19.1%) and Audi (+11%) also shine below, but Dacia (-36%) is in total freefall at #10 as it also is in neighbouring France. At #19, local Chery assembler Ebro (+566.4%) hits a new share record at 2.3%.
The Peugeot 208 (+109.3%) more than doubles its sales year-on-year to spectacularly take the lead of the models charts with 2.8% share. As a reminder, it ranked #9 over the Full Year 2025. This is the first time in almost 5 years (since March 2021) that the 208 is the most popular vehicle in Spain. Seat places two models on the podium β a very rare feat: the Ibiza (+42.2%) is up two spots on December to #2 while the Arona (+79.6%) is up 15 to #3. The Toyota C-HR (+5.9%) also shines at #4, the nameplateβs highest since last September. Below the Toyota Corolla (-3.5%), the Dacia Sandero (-40.2%), #1 annually since 2023, falls to a paltry 6th place. Reversely, notice the success of the VW Tiguan (+78.1%), Peugeot 2008 (+56.6%), Seat Leon (+35.5%) and Opel Corsa (+33.5%).