Google Play system update dated March 2026 is making its way to Samsung phones, including the Galaxy S26 series. An update weighing around 70 megabytes is rolling out to devices, enforcing Android functions and security.
Samsung seems serious about Google Play system update with March 2026 version as well. One UI 8.5 Beta is underway, but it hasnβt broken system update releases. As spotted by X user Kailash, the latest March version is available.
Whatβs new in March Play system update?
March Play system update brings a mix of user-facing features and under-the-hood improvements, with Google continuing to focus on cross-device experiences, stability, and developer tools across phones, PCs, wearables, and Android Auto.
A notable addition is improved device connectivity. Fast Pair now extends to large screens, making it easier to connect accessories to desktop, while Wi-Fi Sync helps users seamlessly share trusted networks across their personal device ecosystem.
Safety also gets a meaningful upgrade. Wireless Emergency Alerts now include a map view, allowing users to instantly see affected areas and their own location within alerts, improving situational awareness during critical events.
System management updates focus on stability, storage optimization, and updatability. Play Store enhancements include better review search, cross-platform gaming support, and improved content discovery, while background services receive routine maintenance.
Developers receive several new capabilities tied to utilities, maps, connectivity, and payments. These updates aim to streamline app functionality, improve authentication flows, and enhance integration with system-level services like Autofill and Credential Manager.
BYD tops the Uruguayan market both in March and YTD.
Another very impressive month for new light vehicle sales in Uruguay with March volumes up 12.1% year-on-year to 6,506 units, understood to be a new record for the month. The Q1 tally is up 13.9% to 17,625. BYD (+81.2%) lodges another stunning result at 12.8% share and snaps the YTD lead for the first time at 12% of the market, dislodging Fiat (-21.7%) in great difficulty again this month. Chevrolet (-3.5%) and Renault (-5.2%) are weak and distance Volkswagen (+7%). Geely (+223.4%) and Jetour (+142.9%) post the biggest YoY gains in the Top 10 and rank #9 and #10 respectively. Overall, the 35 active Chinese brands are up 93% to 38.9% share vs. 22.6% a year ago in March 2025.
Volkswagen holds 12.8% of the Luxembourg market in March.
New car sales in Luxembourg edges down -0.7% year-on-year in May to 4,805 units, leading to a year-to-date tally off -0.9% to 12,553. The Top 3 brands are in positive: Volkswagen is up 7.7% to 12.8% share, followed by BMW up 1.2% to 10.9% and Mercedes up 5% to 9.2%. Reversely Audi (-6.9%) is in trouble at #4. Tesla (+103.7%), Ford (+40.4%) and Renault (+10%) are the only additional Top 10 members in positive. Below, MG (+257.1%), Alfa Romeo (+67.7%) and Dacia (+25%) stand out.
The Jaecoo J5 ends the month just 65 off the March models top spot.
Indonesian new vehicle wholesales are in poor form in March at -13.6% year-on-year to just 61,271 units, yet with a year-to-date tally up 1.9% to 209,021. Retail sales similarly drop -13% to 66,637 but are up 0.7% over Q1 to 211,905.Β
In the wholesales brands ranking, leaders Toyota (-20%) and Daihatsu (-31.7%) both fall even faster than the market but remain on top with 29.4% and 14.6% share respectively. Mitsubishi (-10%) is in better shape at #3 but still drops by double-digits. Suzuki (+2.5%) defies the negative market but drops one spot on February to #4. Honda (-34.5%) collapses but manages to stay at #5. Newcomer Jaecoo breaks all its records at #6 with 3,035 sales and 5% share, eclipsing its previous best of #7, 3,005 and 3.7% established just last month. It overtakes BYD (-8.2%) to become the most popular Chinese brand in Indonesia for the month. Indonesian carmaker Aletra, a partnership between PT Sinar Armada Globalindo (SAG) and Livan Auto, makes its first appearance in the charts at #39.
Retail-wise, the ranking and YoY evolutions are a little different. Toyota (-20.3%), Daihatsu (-15.2%) and Mitsubishi (-16.7%) still lead but Suzuki (-10.3%) is down and BYD (+44.7%) markedly up at #5. Honda (-50%) and newcomer Jaecoo follow.
Over in the wholesales model ranking, the Toyota Kijang Innova (-43.5%) is in complete freefall year-on-year but manage to grasp the March lead with 4.9% share. It still ranks #2 year-to-date. The performance of the month is delivered by the new Jaecoo 5, launched last November and already #2 overall, only 65 sales off the pole position. A tremendous start for the Chinese BEV. The Daihatsu Gran Max Pikap (+13.1%) stays at #3 and remains in the YTD lead with 5.9% share. It is followed by last monthβs leader the Suzuki New Carry Pikap (+85.1%).Β
The Tesla Model Y resumes its dominance in Finland.
Finnish new car sales post an unusually strong month in March at +10% year-on-year to 6,692 units. This tilts the YTD tally into positive territory at +2.7% to 16,886. Toyota (-5.2%) remains the most popular brand in the country by far at 13.3% share despite a YoY fall and finding itself one percentage point below its YTD level. Volkswagen (+0.5%) is stable in 2nd place, a disappointing result in context. In contrast Volvo (+25%) and most impressively Tesla (+100.7%) stun below. BMW (+48.1%) also vastly outpaces the market at #7 while BYD (+194.3%), Renault (+124.3%) and Peugeot (+90.9%) stand out below.
Model-wise, the Tesla Model Y (+76.6%) ranks #1 for the 4th consecutive month with 5.4% share, as a reminder it was #5 over the Full Year 2025. The Toyota Yaris Cross (+112.9%) surges to 2nd spot, also held YTD vs. #1 over the Full Year 2025. The Nissan Qashqai (+63.2%) is back up to #3 while the Tesla Model 3 (+154.4%) surges to #4, the nameplateβs highest ranking in Finland since December 2024. Notice also the Mercedes CLA (+2366.7%) at #7, the Skoda Elroq (+258.5%) at #8 and the VW T-Roc (+306.5%) at #13.
The GWM Poer is the best-selling vehicle in Chile over Q1 2026.
27,358 new light vehicles hit Chilean roads in March, a solid 14% year-on-year gain. The Q1 volume is now up 5.8% to 74,977 units. Toyota (+22.9%) repeats at #1 and reclaims the YTD top spot off Suzuki (-1.9%) skidding this month. Hyundai (+1.7%) and Kia (+4.1%) are soft but Ford (+22.4%) advances three spots on last month to round out the Top 5. MG (+65%), Changan (+30.2%) and GWM (+24.5%) post the largest gains in the Top 10. Below, Jetour (+160.7%), Maxus (+44.2%) and Omoda+Jaecoo (+27.5%) prove the Chinese continue to expand their footprint in Chile. In fact, the 33 Chinese brands present here add up to 34.4% share for the month thanks to sales up 36.5% to 9,401.
Over in the models charts, the GWM Poer (+38.5%) repeats at #1 and also snaps the YTD top spot in the process. The MG ZX (the previous generation ZS) triples its sales year-on-year and climbs to a record 2nd place. The Ford Ranger (+60.9%) also excels and is up five ranks on last month to #3, distancing the Chery Tiggo 2 (-15%) down on a winning year-ago performance. The Suzuki Fronx (+125.7%) and Swift (+59.5%) impress below.
The Tesla Model Y is the favourite of Austrian car buyers in March.
The Austrian new car market posts a splendid result in March: up 27.2% year-on-year to 33,018 units. Q1 volumes are up 17% to 77,235. Volkswagen (+15.7%) leads the way but, even though it is up by double-digits, significantly trails the market and sees its share thaw to 12.6% vs. 14.9% so far this year. In contrast, fellow VAG members Skoda (+46.2%) and Audi (+36.5%) are in excellent shape. BMW (+14.7%) follows while Tesla (+87.2%) compensates for low year-ago results and climbs 16 spots on February to #5. The American brand is now #12 year-to-date vs. #18 over the Full Year 2025. Hyundai (+114.1%), Fiat (+107.2%), Suzuki (+102.2%) and BYD (+58%) also shine below.
Model-wise, the Tesla Model Y (+111.4%) signs its first monthly win since last June and climbs to #6 year-to-date vs. #7 over the Full Year 2025. The Skoda Octavia (+17.2%) repeats at #2 ahead of the VW Golf (-15.1%), the latter still faraway leader after a bumper January performance (6.6% share). The BMW X1 (+14.9%) advances to #4, with 44% of its March volume coming from the iX1 BEV variant. The Hyundai Tucson (+374.5%) surges to #7, with the Audi Q3 (+223%) and BMW X3 (+107%) also impressive. Note 60% of X3 sales come from the iX3.
The Nissan Gravite has landed in the Indian market.
Indian new car wholesales surge 16% year-on-year in March to 447,702 units, smashing the previous March record of 385,842 established just last year. Itβs the 6th consecutive year the March record is broken. The Q1 volume is up 13.1% to 1,320,914, here too a new record. Maruti Suzuki (+10.3%) trails the market but still posts a tremendous 37.1% market share. Tata (+28.2%) and Mahindra (+25.4%) power ahead and close out the podium. Hyundai (+6.3%) follows ahead of Toyota (+23.9%) and Kia (+14.1%), the latter lodging its 2nd best ever monthly volume at 29,112. Below, Renault (+77.3%) and Nissan (+76.4%) impress albeit at low volumes.
Model-wise, the Maruti Suzuki DZire (+37.3%) reclaims the top spot for the first time since last July but stays #2 year-to-date below the Tata Nexon (+21%), down to #3 for the month. The Tata Punch (+18.4%) also beats the market in 2nd place. The Maruti Suzuki Baleno (+32.7%) is the only additional Top 10 model to outpace the general YoY growth rate. the Toyota Hyryder (+93.1%), Kia Seltos (+69.2%) and Sonet (+55.9%) also shine below. We have two new launches this month: the Nissan Gravite landing at #43 and the Renault Duster at #53.
The Nissan Juke is the overall best-seller in Northern Ireland.
Thanks toΒ SMMT we can share with you the Top 10 best-sellers for each UK nation in March. Keep in mind this is a zoom in by nation, all sales figures are already included in the March 2026 UK update. In the all important month of March, Scotland is up 7.3% to 31,002 sales, England is up 6.9% to 331,643 and Wales is up 5.9% to 12,275 but Northern Ireland falls -7.2% to 5,549. Over Q1, the best performing nation is England at +6.5% to 532,610, followed by Wales at +5.8% to 19,608 and Scotland up 4.1% to 48,844 whereas Northern Ireland drops -7.6% to 13,225.
Podium finishers are as follows: the Jaecoo 7 is #1 in England, #2 in Scotland and #4 in Wales, the Vauxhall Corsa #1 in Scotland, theΒ Nissan Juke #1 in Northern Ireland, theΒ MG HS #1 in Wales, #6 in England and Northern Ireland, theΒ Ford Puma #2 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, theΒ Peugeot 208 #3 in Scotland and theΒ Nissan Qashqai #3 in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
Other great performers include theΒ Volvo XC40 #5 in England, VW Tiguan #5 in Northern Ireland, Kia Picanto #6 in Wales, Hyundai Kona #9 in Northern Ireland, Peugeot 3008 equal #9 in Northern Ireland, Suzuki Swift #9 in Wales and the Omoda 5 #10 in Scotland.
New car sales in Czechia are up 6% year-on-year in March to 23,918 units, leading to a Q1 volume up 1.5% to 60,552. Once again Skoda (+8.9%) outpaces its home market but drops to 36.4% share, significantly below the 39%+ it held over the first two months of the year. Hyundai (-18.8%) and Toyota (-14.2%) are in freefall below while Dacia (+1.2%) edges up and stays at #5. Ford (-8.4%) and Kia (-26%) ensure the Top 7 is identical to February. Below, notice Nissan (+119.3%), Cupra (+59.4%) and Omoda/Jaecoo (+5200%) all in outstanding shape.
Model-wise, Skoda places 7 models in the Top 7 for the third consecutive month and the 10th time ever, the first one being in January 2022.Β The Octavia (-3.9%) leads the way above the Kodiaq (+33.6%), Kamiq (+14.9%), Karoq (-3.6%), Fabia (+11.7%), Scala (+37.7%) and Superb (-18.1%). The Hyundai Tucson (-17.7%) is the best of the rest at #8 and despite a steep year-on-year loss. Outstanding month for the Nissan Qashqai (+194.5%) up 64 spots on last month to #9, as it seems to be boosted by a wave of re-exports across the Eastern EU. The Dacia Bigster (+3255.6%) celebrates one year in market at #14.
The Skoda Elroq is the favourite model of Danish car buyers in March.
New car sales in Denmark jump 26.6% year-on-year in March toΒ 18,968 units. This means the Q1 volume is up an equally impressive 16.7% to 43,703. This month Skoda (+88.9%) surges to the brands pole position for the first time in Danish history, its previous best being #2 first hit inΒ May 2015. Volkswagen (-18.4%) has to settle for #2 whereas it led the charts over the Full Year 2025. Tesla (+144%) recovers from a dreadful year-ago result (-65.6%) and climbs up to #3 but is stuck in 8th place year-to-date. Mercedes (+9%) and Toyota (+30.9%) round out the Top 5 with the latter still #1 so far this year. Renault (+205.9%) and BMW (+46.2%) also impress in the remainder of the Top 10 while Cupra (+10.2%) outsells sister brand Seat (-57.3%) 22 to 1!
Over in the models charts, the Skoda Elroq (+135.3%) returns to first place for the first time since last November and the 8th time in the past 12 months. It however remains #2 year-to-date below the Toyota bZ4X (+49.1%) down to #6 for the month. The Tesla Model Y (+79%) is up to #2, its best ranking so far this year after leading outright last December. The VW ID.4 (-14.7%) repeats at #3 but retreats year-on-year. Skoda also places the Enyaq (+60.3%) at #4 while the Cupra Tavascan (+196.1%) is up 76 ranks on February to #5. The Tesla Model 3 (+367.2%) is also back in shape at #7.
The VW Golf repeats at #1 after not winning for over 7 years.
The Swiss new car market is up 7.2% year-on-year in March to 23,258 units, tilting the year-to-date tally into positive territory at +0.6% to 52,982. 4Γ4 sales are up 9.2% to 12,217 and 52.5% share vs. 51.6% a year ago in March 2025 and are up 0.6% YTD to 27,025 and an unchanged 51% share. Petrol sales are off -8% to 4,894 and 21% share vs. 24.5% last year (down -11.6% YTD to 11,681 and 22% share), diesel is off -25.5% to 1,198 and 5.2% share vs. 7.4% (down -26.8% YTD to 3,004 and 5.7% share, HEVs (including MHEVs) gain 7.6% to 8,884 and 38.2% share vs. 38.1% (up 3.6% YTD to 20,450 and 38.6% share), PHEVs are up 38.9% to 2,894 and 12.4% share vs. 9.6% (up 31.3% YTD to 6,432 and 12.1% share) and BEVs soar 21.9% to 5,388 and 23.2% share vs. 20.4% (up 6.3% YTD to 11,414 and 21.5% share vs. 20.4%).
Volkswagen (+26.1%) cements its dominance of the Swiss brands charts with 11.3% share, it is followed in March by BMW (+19.2%) and Skoda (+14.2%), with BMW also overtaking Skoda in the Q1 ranking at #2. Audi (+2.4%) and Mercedes (-3.1%) are lukewarm and round out the Top 5 as they do over Q1. Toyota (+25.2%) and Volvo (+22%) also beat the market in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, BYD (+679.3%) smashes all its records at #16 with 452 sales and 1.9% share, its previous best being #22 with 198 units and 1.3% share hit just last month. Citroen (+62.8%) and Fiat (+54.9%) also impress.
Looking at the models ranking, the VW Golf (+75.4%) surges ahead to repeat in pole position with 2.3% share. Keep in mind it hadnβt ranked #1 for over 7 years before last month. Just 12 units below is the BMW X3 (+232.9%) tripling its sales YoY to #2, a ranking it now also holds over Q1 vs. #14 over the Full Year 2025. Itβs unclear whether X3 figures include the new iX3. The VW Tiguan (+21%) remains in third position like YTD vs. #1 over the Full Year 2025. The BMW X1 (+26.9%) ensures the Top 5 is identical to the Q1 order. Notice also the Skoda Elroq (+165.4%) at #9, the Skoda Enyaq (+53%) at #10 and the Dacia Sandero (+52.9%) at #12. The BYD Seal U (+1388.9%) cracks the Top 20 for the first time at #18.
The Citroen C3 is the most popular vehicle in Portugal in March.
Solid month for new car sales in Portugal at +8.6% year-on-year in March to 26,680 units. The Q1 volume is up by an even better +9.4% to 64,060. In the brands ranking, Mercedes (+6.2%) reclaims the top spot for the first time since last August. In 2nd place, Dacia rallies up 18.6% to 7% share vs. 5.2% so far this year (-25.2%) where it still ranks at a low #7 vs. #3 over the Full Year 2025. Peugeot (-29.4%) craters and falls to third position but remains largely in the lead year-to-date with 10.8% share. Citroen (+29.5%) lodges the biggest gain in the Top 10 at #4, a ranking it also holds YTD vs. #9 over the Full Year 2025. Nissan (+15.6%) also impresses at #5. Below, MG (+148.7%), Volvo (+64.3%), Seat (+47.3%), Hyundai (+46.9%) and BYD (+44.4%) stand out.
The models ranking is completely reshuffled. The Citroen C3 (+9.4%) is up six spots on February to land in pole position. This is the third time the C3 is the most popular vehicle in Portugal afterΒ April 2022 and June 2024. It now ranks #3 year-to-date. Dacia completes the podium with the Duster (+1.8%) up 37 ranks to #2 and the Sandero (+37.2%) up 17 to #3. Two Nissans follow: the Juke (-11.2%) at #4 and the Qashqai (+59.5%) at #5. Tesla places the Model Y (+126%) at #7 and the Model 3 (-38.3%) at #8. The Seat Ibiza (+137.1%) also impresses.
The Chery Tiggo 4 is inside the Romanian Top 10 in March.
After two horrendous months, the Romanian new car market recovers slightly in March at +4.6% year-on-year to 10,383 units. The Q1 volume is off -19% to 27,275. Local behemoth Dacia (-21.3%) continues to freefall at just 17.9% share vs. 23.8% a year ago in March 2025. Reversely Skoda (+13.9%) and Volkswagen (+10.3%) are both sturdy and leapfrog past Toyota (-1%) roughly stable. Nissan (+1681.3%) delivers the performance of the month and is up 18 spots on February to #5 with 5.5% share vs. 2.6% so far this year (#14). Newcomer Chery repeats at a record #10 with 3.3% share, a ranking it also holds YTD. BYD ranks #12 with 2.7% of the market.
Over in the models charts, the Dacia Duster (-32.8%) stays on top despite falling hard year-on-year while the Dacia Bigster (+11040%) repeats at a record #2, the same position as over Q1. Itβs an excellent score for Daciaβs newest model. The Skoda Octavia (+6.4%) climbs back up to #3 ahead of the Toyota Corolla (+40.6%) and Dacia Logan (-65.2%) hitting a wall. This means the March Top 5 is identical to Q1. The Nissan Qashqai (+1215%) shoots up to #6, potentially helped by reexports as it is also the case in Hungary. The VW Golf (+27.9%) also shines at #8 while the new Chery Tiggo 4 is up four ranks on last month to crack the Romanian Top 10 for the first time at #10. The Dacia Sandero (-38.2%) falls flat again but is back up 13 spots on February to #11. It ranks #16 over Q1 (-80.4%) vs. #3 over the Full Year 2025.
Itβs a strong month for UK new car sales, with March, traditionally the biggest month of the year as it coincides with the biannual license plate change, up 6.6% year-on-year to 380,627 units. This is the best March result since pre-pandemic 2019. The year-to-date tally is now up 5.9% to 614,854. Encouragingly, private sales pull the market up at 10.1% to 162,470 units and 42.7% share vs. 41.3% a year ago. Fleet sales are up 3.5% to 208,853 and 54.9% share vs. 56.5% in March 2025 and business sales are up 18.8% to 9,304 and 2.4% share vs. 2.2%. Over Q1, private sales are up 9.9% to 250,094 and 40.7% share vs. 39.2% over the same period in 2025, fleet sales progress 2.8% to 350,632 and 57% share vs. 58.8% and business sales soar 20.1% to 14,128 and 2.3% share vs. 2%.
BEV sales surge 24.2% to 86,120 and 22.6% share vs. 19.4% a year ago. This is the largest ever monthly volume for BEVs in the UK, however the market share is well below the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate target of 33% for 2026. Meanwhile HEVs are up 7.3% to 60,268 and 15.8% share vs. 15.7% in March 2025, PHEVs soar 46.9% to 49,671 and 13% share vs. 9.5%, petrol drops -6.1% to 165,997 and 43.6% share vs. 49.5% and diesel sinks -11.4% to 18,571 and 4.9% share vs. 5.9%. Year-to-date, BEVs are up 14.5% to 137,614 and 22.4% share vs. 20.7% over Q1 2025, HEVs are up 6.2% to 91,372 and 14.9% share vs. 14.8%, PHEVs up 46.5% to 78,666 and 12.8% share vs. 9.2%, petrol down -3.5% to 276,689 and 45% share vs. 49.4% and diesel down -9.8% to 30,513 and 5% share vs. 5.8%.
In the brands ranking, the top 2 manufacturers go against the market and lose ground year-on-year. Volkswagen (-13.3%) is hit hard but easily holds onto the pole position with 7.2% share while BMW (-1.8%) edges down to 5.6% of the market. Kia (+0.7%) is up four spots on February to #3 and ranks #2 over Q1 vs. #4 over the Full Year 2025. Ford (-18.9%) also struggles while Audi (+2.7%) rounds out the Top 5 like last month and YTD. BYD surges 134% to #11 and 4% share and is up 130.1% YTD. Jaecoo (+573.8%) is up to #17 overall, with Alpine (+1723.1%), Leapmotor (+879.8%), Omoda (+184.2%) and Citroen (+144%) posting the largest gains below.
Model-wise, itβs a lightning strike atop the charts, with the Chinese Jaecoo 7 taking the overall lead in the all-important March month. It holds 2.6% of the market vs. 2.4% for the traditional leader, the Ford Puma. The Puma however remains #1 year-to-date but for just 559 sales. The Nissan Qashqai (+27.4%) is very robust, climbing back up from outside the February Top 10 directly into third place. The Kia Sportage (-7.2%) and Vauxhall Corsa (-7.8%) disappoint and round out the Top 5. The Tesla Model Y (#9) and BMW 1 Series (#10) point their bonnet inside the March Top 10.
The Argentinean new light vehicle market edges up 0.3% year-on-year in March to 46,072 units, this is the highest March volume in 8 years:Β since the 83,954 units of March 2018. The year-to-date tally is now down -3.6% to 148,692. The Top 3 brands fall by double-digits. Toyota (-16.5%) claims the top spot at 14.5% share above Volkswagen (-25.5%), still #1 year-to-date, and Fiat (-11.9%). Chevrolet (+27%) posts a splendid score to advance to #4 and is up 25.7% over Q1. Peugeot (+3.7%) is the only additional Top 10 member in positive just as newcomer BYD cracks the Top 10 for the first time at #10.
Model-wise, the Peugeot 208 (-4.4%) signs its first win in over a year: since January 2025. It climbs to #2 in the YTD charts as a result vs. #4 over the Full Year 2025. Note that at 4.9% the 208 holds a much higher market share in Argentina than it does at home in France this month (3.5%). It topples the Toyota Hilux (-20.7%) down to #2 but still #1 over Q1. The Fiat Cronos (-34.2%) is also down one spot on February to #3, a ranking it also holds YTD. The Ford Ranger (-20%) and a surging Chevrolet Onix (+32.4%) complete the Top 5. The VW Tera (#7) is once again the most popular recent launch, distancing the Toyota Yaris Cross up to #12.
The Toyota C-HR is up to a record #2 in Turkiye in March.
The Turkish new light vehicle market continues to slide in March at -12.7% on a record March 2025 volume to 101,997. The Q1 result is now down -3.9% to 265,398. Only three Top 10 brands are in positive this month: leaders Renault (+8.3%) and Fiat (+0.5%) as well as local EV maker Togg (+39.6%) at #10. The rest suffers, with Hyundai (-2.4%) and Toyota (-9.3%) managing to fall slower than the market but Peugeot (-35.9%), Opel (-21.6%) and Ford (-18.3%) all hit full frontal. Further down the charts, notice Tesla (+835%), Jeep (+290.3%), KG Mobility (+118.6%), Volvo (+49.1%) Omoda/Jaecoo (+44.5%) and Mini (+20.9%).
In the passenger car models ranking, the Renault Clio (-4.2%) keeps the lead above the Toyota C-HR (+30.6%) up five spots on February to #2. This is a new record ranking for the nameplate, eclipsing its previous best of #3 hit just last January. The Renault Megane Sedan (-7.3%) is still valiant at #3, distancing the VW Taigo (+270.2%) up to an all-time high #4. The Fiat Egea Sedan (-35.1%) struggles unlike the Renault Duster (+264%). The new Togg T10F is up four ranks on last month to #12 and is the best-selling recent launch above the Opel Frontera (#14) and Citroen C3 Aircross (#15).
The Jaecoo 5 is #1 in Israel in February and March.
According to our local partner cartube.co.il, 26,356 new light vehicles found a buyer in Israel in March, a -1.2% year-on-year drop. The Q1 volume is down -2% to to 95,188. Omoda Jaecoo (+235.7%) confirms the brands pole position it first hit last month with an improved and record 14.3% share. Toyota (-29.6%) and Hyundai (-30.4%) both freefall and complete the podium. Note Omoda Jaecoo (+205.1%) is also #1 over Q1 with over 2,000 units more than #2 Toyota (-13%). Kia (+22.2%) advances to #4 while Chery (+85.1%) surges YoY to round out the Top 5. The best performers in the Top 10 are Tesla (+281.2%) and BYD (+132.1%), with Geely (+42.6%) and MG (+9.6%) also outpacing the market. All in all, Chinese brands soar 90.3% to 38.3% share vs. 19.9% a year ago and represent 36.7% of the market over Q1.
Over in the models charts, as per every Quarter we now have access to each month in detail. The Jaecoo J7 (+17.7%) holds onto the top spot over Q1 and was #1 in January with almost 2,600 sales but dropped significantly in February and March. Instead, itβs it smaller sibling the new Jaecoo 5 that brilliantly took the lead in both February and March. Jaecoo also places the 8 at #7 over Q1. The Hyundai Kona (-8.7%) ranked #2 in January and February, a position it also holds over Q1. The Toyota Corolla Cross (+37.2%) was #3 in February and #2 in March, for a 4th place over Q1. The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (+380.6%, #6 over Q1), Tiggo 8 Pro (+100.8%, #8) and Tiggo 4 Pro (+341.6%, #9) all post surreal gains.
BYD is up to a record third place in March. The Sealion 08 is the #1 recent launch.
The Australian new vehicle market is off -2.6% year-on-year to 108,703 in March on what was a new March record in 2025. The year-to-date tally over Q1 is down -1.8% to 290,598. This month we are starting to see the consequences of the Middle Eastern war and inflated fuel prices. Sales by alimentation show petrol sales sinking -20.8% to 34,694 and diesel down -10.1% to 28,364. Reversely hybrids are up 6.7% to 17,953, BEVs rise 88.9% to 15,839 and a record 14.6% share vs. 7.5% a year ago in March 2025 and PHEVs gain 18.5% to 8,215. BEV share over Q1 stands at 11.8%. Private sales are down -4.8% to 52,176, business fleets off -2.7% to 40,296, rentals up 23.6% to 6,714 and government fleets down -20.9% to 2,234.
SUVs gain 2.5% to 69,258 and 63.7% share vs. 60.6% in March 2025 and 58.9% two years ago but light commercials drop -10.5% to 21,990 and 20.2% share vs. 22% last year and 21% in 2024, passenger cars fall -9.9% to 13,817 and 12.7% share vs. 13.7% in 2025 and heavy commercials gain 5.5% to 3,638 and 3.3% share vs. 3.1% last year. Excluding Tesla and Polestar sales, all states and territories are down this month bar Queensland up 3.9% to 22,812. New South Wales is down -5.9% to 31,513, Victoria down -2.5% to 28,791, Western Australia down -7.3% to 11,202, South Australia down -7.3% to 6,622, Tasmania down -1.7% to 1,744, Australian Capital Territory down -4.7% to 1,579 and Northern Territory off -17.3% to 795. Looking at sales by country of origin, China (+45.1%) cements its newfound dominance with 30,993 sales ahead of Japan (-20.4% to 26,892), Thailand (-7.1% to 20,251), South Korea (-1.8% to 13,055) and Germany (-10.2% to 4,513).
There is a big reshuffle in the brands ranking. Toyota (-19.3%) continues to underperform at 15.2% share. This is still well above twice any other carmaker in the country. Kia (+0.2%) is stable year-on-year but climbs to a record 2nd place, also hit in June 2022 and September 2022. The event of the month is the best-ever third place of BYD (+50%) with 6.6% share and just 103 sales below Kia. This is the first time a Chinese manufacturer enters the monthly Australian podium. Mazda (-10.6%) and Ford (-13.2%) both struggle and are relegated to #4 and #5 respectively. GWM (+29.3%) is back to #7 and ascends to a record volume (5,680) and share (5.2%). For its part Chery (+84.1%) ranks #10 and manages an unbelievable 14th straight month of record volumes at 4,018. Tesla is up 23.2% to #13, Geely up 542.6% to #20 and Zeekr up 533% to #27.
Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (-9.7%) keeps the lead but falls heavily, it is followed like last month by the Toyota Hilux (+2.1%) and Tesla Model Y (+63.4%). The Model Y is now up to #8 year-to-date vs. #10 over the Full Year 2025. Boosted by promotions on the outgoing generation and demo sales of the new model, the Nissan X-Trail (+25.3%) surges 40 spots on February to #4, the nameplateβs new ranking record eclipsing its previous best of #6 reached in September 2018 and February 2024. The Hyundai Kona (+15.2%) is strong at #6 followed by the Chery Tiggo 4 (+80.4%) down three spots on last month to #7 but staying #3 year-to-date. Notice also the BYD Sealion 7 (+243.8%) up to #11. Still handicapped by a lengthy generation changeover, the Toyota RAV4 (-68.5%) ranks #20 both for the month and YTD. The BYD Sealion 8 is the best-selling recent launch at #35 above the Zeekr 7X (#42), Geely Starray (#46) and BYD Atto 2 (#49).
The Hyundai i20 is the best-selling vehicle in Bulgaria again.
4,957 new light vehicles were registered in March in Bulgaria, a solid 6.3% year-on-year improvement bringing the Q1 volume to 12,740, off -0.4%. Keep in mind a significant part of these registrations never see Bulgarian roads as they are reexported to other EU countries. Skoda (-7.5%) overtakes Toyota (-7.8%) to #1 brand with 9.9% share, as the two manufacturers lodge disappointing YoY drops. Volkswagen (+9.9%) is up one spot on February to #3 ahead of a surging Hyundai (+98.2%). Fiat (+108.2%), Opel (+107%) and Citroen (+52.1%) also shine.
In the models charts, the Hyundai i20 (+642.9%) repeats at #1, but this is still not enough to topple the Toyota Corolla (stable) for the #1 YTD spot. The Citroen C3 Aircross is up one rank on last month to land on the third step of the podium, with the Dacia Duster (+37.1%) and Skoda Octavia (-3.1%) in tow. The VW Caddy (+393.3%), Fiat Doblo (+360%), Toyota Yaris Cross (+60.9%) and Hyundai Tucson (+32.4%) make themselves noticed below.
Toyota C-HR sales are up 73.3% in March in Ireland.
15,476 new cars found a buyer in Ireland in March, a steep -10.5% year-on-year drop leading to a Q1 volume edging up 0.3% to 64,958. Toyota (-13.1%) is back to its dominant position in the brands charts with 15.7% share and despite falling faster than the market. Skoda (-8.6%) advances two spots on last month to #2 and 9.6% share whereas Volkswagen (-35.3%) falls flat after topping the ranking in February. Kia (+3.4%) is the only gainer among the Top 7 brands, with Nissan (-18.5%) and BMW (-12.6%) hit the hardest. In contrast Mercedes (+155.6%), BYD (+81.4%) and Telsa (+71.2%) all surge. Itβs BYDβs first Top 10 finish in 2026.
Over in the models ranking, Toyota spectacularly monopolises the podium (like a year ago in March 2025) with the Corolla (+7.9%), Yaris Cross (+0.7%) and a surging C-HR (+73.3%) the overall best-sellers. The Kia Sportage (-0.7%) is relegated to 4th place while the Nissan Qashqai (-13%) is up four spots on last month to #5 and the Nissan Juke (-20.5%) up six to #6, both despite steep falls. The Tesla Model 3 (+32%) is up to #10 and the Model Y (+156.2%) up to #14 but the real surprise of the month is the paltry score of the traditional leader, the Hyundai Tucson (-36.3%) down to #13 and losing the YTD top spot to the Toyota Yaris Cross.
The Brazilian new light vehicle market is euphoric in March, surging 40.8% year-on-year to 258,357 units. As a result the year-to-date tally is now up 15.9% to 598,212. Brand leaders Fiat (+35.5%), Volkswagen (+39.5%) and Chevrolet (+39.5%) evolve roughly like the market and sport their biggest monthly volumes so far this year. Hyundai (+50.8%) impresses at #4 but itβs BYD (+103.5%) that is the star of the month with sales doubling year-on-year. At 6.4% share it is just below its record of 6.5% reached in February. Caoa Chery (+126.5%) is the only additional Top 10 brand to beat the market, scoring its first Top 10 finish since last November. GWM (+233.2%) and Mercedes (+130.7%) also shine below.
Model-wise, the Fiat Strada (+62.9%) sails off into the distance with 6.5% share vs. 4.3% for the #2, the VW Polo (+36.1%). The Chevrolet Onix (+77.1%) climbs up two spots on last month to #3, a ranking it also now holds year-to-date. This is the Onixβs first five-figure monthly volume since November 2024. Below a stable Fiat Argo (+0.4%), the new VW Tera is back up two ranks to round out the Top 5. The BYD Dolphin Mini (+190%) breaks into the Brazilian Top 10 for the first time at #9.
New car sales in Sweden advance 9.8% year-on-year in March to 26,578 units, leading to a year-to-date volume off -2.3% to 61,960. BEVs surge 29.7% to 10,875 and 40.9% share vs. 34.6% a year ago, while PHEVs are up just 2.4% to 6,466 and 24.3% share vs. 26.1% in March 2025. As a whole, rechargeable cars shoot up 17.9% to 17,341 and 65.2% share vs. 60.7% last year.
Brand leaders Volvo (-9.7%) and Volkswagen (-10.8%) both disappoint at 14.5% and 11.7% share respectively, vs. 15.9% (-10.6%) and 11.9% (-21%) year-to-date. In contrast Kia (+44.2%) shoots up to #3 ahead of Toyota (-5.7%), also in difficulty. BMW (+50.4%) is also in outstanding shape, but none more so than Tesla (+95.8%) truly getting back into the game at #6. Note the US carmaker was down -63.9% on the year prior in March 2025. Notice also Subaru (+1581.8%), Mazda (+159.9%) and Fiat (+88%) making themselves noticed.
Over in the models charts, the Tesla Model Y (+80.2%) regains traction and signs its first monthly win since December 2024. The Volvo XC60 (-25.5%) repeats at #2 but sinks year-on-year and ends the month above the Volvo EX/XC40 (+25.8%), still leader year-to-date. The VW Tiguan (+89%) soars 7 spots on February to #4, the nameplateβs highest ranking in Sweden since hitting #3 over 6 years ago in November 2019. The Skoda Kodiaq (+34%) brilliantly rounds out the Top 5 ahead of a surging Volvo EX30 (+84.4%), ensuring the Top 6 is entirely composed of SUVs.
Nintendo hosted its first Indie World Showcase of 2026 and the fourth Nintendo Direct event of the year this morning, with an 18-minute presentation chock-full of indie games coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. While the showcase lacked some of the heavy-hitter reveals we guessed at after Nintendo announced the showcase yesterday, like the release date reveal for Hollow Knight Silksong: Sea of Sorrows DLC or a Vampire Crawlers release date, it wasn't without its big indie announcements. One of the most notable announcements (and the one that closed out the show) was the reveal that Blue Prince [β¦]
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BYD tops the Uruguayan market both in March and YTD.