Skip advert
Advertisement

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

European car registration figures for February 2020 reveal the new Renault Clio was the continent’s best-selling car last month

The Renault Clio overtook the Volkswagen Golf to become Europe’s best-selling car in February 2020, according to the latest European car registration figures for the month.

New versions of both these models have recently launched, but the latest Clio has been available to order longer than the new Golf. As a result, some 24,914 Mk5 Clios were registered throughout February, while the Mk8 Golf was narrowly behind with 24,735.

Both nameplates saw an overall reduction in registrations last month, according to data from JATO Dynamics. There was a four per cent year-on-year reduction in Clio registrations, while the Golf was down 21 per cent year-on-year.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Other notable figures in the monthly figures include a10 per cent boost in sales for the Fiat Panda, bringing it up to fifth place, and the absence of any SUVs from the top 10 ranking.

Overall, it was another month of decline for the European car market. Registrations fell seven per cent year-on-year, from 1,143,852 in February 2019 to 1,063,264 in February 2020.

Electric car registrations doubled in France and Germany - these vehicles now make up 14 per cent and 11 per cent respectively of the countries’ monthly car registration figures. The UK has an EV penetration rate of 13 per cent - the second-highest of the five largest European car markets - but even France’s figure pales in comparison to Norway, where 75 per cent of all new cars sold are electric.

Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics, commented: “The situation is rapidly deteriorating in Europe due to complex regulation, lack of available homologated cars, and increasing pressure on the economy. All of these factors are having a detrimental impact on consumer confidence.”

JATO Dynamics added that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has yet to hit the European car market.

Read our in-depth review of the Renault Clio right here...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars for under £200 per month
Best new cars under £200 per month - header image

Best new cars for under £200 per month

If you've got £200 to spend on a new car every month, here's our pick of the best options
Best cars & vans
7 Feb 2025
Best hybrid cars on sale 2025
Best hybrid cars header

Best hybrid cars on sale 2025

With more hybrid cars on the market than ever before, these are the best ones to buy
Best cars & vans
3 Feb 2025
Best small cars to buy 2025
Best small cars 2025 - header

Best small cars to buy 2025

Small cars come in all kinds of shapes, if not sizes. Here we highlight the best ones to buy
Best cars & vans
20 Jan 2025
New 2025 Renault Clio in line for clean-sheet design and hybrid power
Next-gen Renault Clio - front

New 2025 Renault Clio in line for clean-sheet design and hybrid power

Renault’s design boss confirms that the hybrid-powered supermini will not trade on retro appeal like its Renault 5 sibling
News
10 Jan 2025

Most Popular

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?
BMW X3 and Lexus NX - front tracking

BMW X3 vs Lexus NX: which premium mid-size SUV takes top honours?

BMW’s much-lauded new X3 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market – but is it good enough to topple the cheaper hybrid-powered Lexus NX 35…
Car group tests
8 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month
Mazda CX-5

Car Deal of the Day: handsome, sporty Mazda CX-5 dips under £250 per month

The Mazda CX-5 is fun to drive, features a driver-focused, premium interior and is our Deal of the Day for 9 February
News
9 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month
Jaguar I-Pace - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Bag one of the last Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs for under £400 a month

The I-Pace shows how good an electric Jag can be. It’s our Deal of the Day for 7 February
News
7 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts