Renault Clio overtakes VW Golf to become Europe’s best-selling car

The Renault Clio overtook the Volkswagen Golf to come to be Europe’s ideal-selling vehicle in February 2020, according to the latest European vehicle registration figures for the thirty day period.

New versions of both equally these products have recently introduced, but the latest Clio has been obtainable to purchase for a longer period than the new Golf. As a final result, some 24,914 Mk5 Clios have been registered all over February, though the Mk8 Golf was narrowly guiding with 24,735.

Both equally nameplates saw an in general reduction in registrations previous thirty day period, according to data from JATO Dynamics. There was a 4 for every cent 12 months-on-12 months reduction in Clio registrations, though the Golf was down 21 for every cent 12 months-on-12 months.

Other noteworthy figures in the every month figures incorporate a10 for every cent improve in profits for the Fiat Panda, bringing it up to fifth spot, and the absence of any SUVs from the top ten rating.

General, it was an additional thirty day period of drop for the European vehicle industry. Registrations fell 7 for every cent 12 months-on-12 months, from 1,143,852 in February 2019 to 1,063,264 in February 2020.

Electric vehicle registrations doubled in France and Germany – these automobiles now make up 14 for every cent and eleven for every cent respectively of the countries’ every month vehicle registration figures. The British isles has an EV penetration rate of thirteen for every cent – the next-best of the five most significant European vehicle markets – but even France’s determine pales in comparison to Norway, wherever 75 for every cent of all new vehicles sold are electric powered.

Felipe Munoz, worldwide analyst at JATO Dynamics, commented: “The problem is fast deteriorating in Europe due to sophisticated regulation, absence of obtainable homologated vehicles, and expanding tension on the financial state. All of these components are obtaining a detrimental impact on client confidence.”

JATO Dynamics included that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has still to strike the European vehicle industry.

Read through our in-depth critique of the Renault Clio right here…