In August, the Dacia Sandero claimed the top spot in the ranking of Europe’s best-selling cars, a particularly noteworthy feat given the overall contraction of the market. The Romanian-manufactured model has dominated sales throughout the year, only briefly dropping to second place for two months, underscoring its consistent popularity.
In contrast, the Tesla Model Y, which held the title of Europe’s best-selling car in 2023, experienced a sharp decline during the first half of this year. However, it is now showing signs of recovery, driven by Tesla’s „wave” delivery system, which allows for a concentrated push of vehicles towards the end of each quarter.
According to data from Jato Dynamics, the Dacia Sandero saw 15,653 units registered in August, a 9% year-on-year increase that reinforces its lead position in the European market. With such strong performance, it is well on track to maintain its dominance through the end of the year.
Tesla’s Model Y followed in second place, with 13,410 units registered. While this marks a significant improvement from its July and June figures, it still represents a 38% drop compared to August 2022. In third place, the Toyota Yaris Cross re-entered the top ranks, surpassing Volkswagen models, which have seen their market share diminish.
The Renault Clio secured the fourth spot, consistently hovering around this position, while the Dacia Duster placed fifth with 11,655 units sold, reflecting a 10% increase following the launch of its new generation.
Meanwhile, the Ford Puma SUV, produced in Craiova, registered 8,938 units in August—a 20% decline—placing it at 16th in the rankings of Europe’s best-selling vehicles.
Jato Dynamics also highlighted a significant decline in sales of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles across Europe, with electric models experiencing a 36% drop and plug-in hybrids seeing a 21% decrease compared to the same period last year. Despite growing interest in electrification, these figures indicate that demand for electric vehicles remains volatile.
