Years pass and the queen of the European market always remains the Volkswagen Golf, even if its kingdom is besieged more and more closely by other contenders for the title called Dacia Sandero and Peugeot 208. In 2021 the Wolfsburg compact was sold in 205,408 units – considering all 28 European countries analyzed by Jato Dynamics – and this number already gives some thought, given that compared to the 2020 figure it is 28% lower, while comparing it with 2019 it reaches -50%. Virtually half of the Golfs have been sold in Europe compared to two years ago. Obviously, the crisis affects the entire sector and is due to both the pandemic and the chip crisis, which did not allow the Wolfsburg lines to churn out cars for several weeks. At this point the only thing left to ask is whether 2022 will have a new ruler.
The new possible queens could be both the Dacia Sandero and the Peugeot 208. The first totaled 196,792 pieces, while the second 196,869 units. If we also add the data of the Bulgarian market, the situation is reversed and the small Romanian prevails over the French for 291 cars. In other words, goat wool issues that do not change the substantial situation, in which the fourth classified, or the Renault Clio, which was chosen by 196,243 European motorists, must also be considered. In short, it seems that the B segment still have a lot to say in terms of volumes, despite the advance of SUVs and crossovers. To find the first, in fact, you have to scroll to the fifth place of the Peugeot 2008, with 194,653 cars.
The high-wheeled Frenchwoman won the all-French challenge with the Renault Captur – out of the top ten – and also with the Volkswagen T-Roc, which follows her in the standings with 186,644 cars. Just behind the German crossover are two other champions such as the Toyota Yaris and the Opel Corsa, both above the threshold of 180,000 cars, to be precise 182,590 and 180,643. A little below, therefore in ninth place, is the Fiat 500, which with 174,739 units – of which a quarter represented by the new electric version – does not seem to feel the weight of the years. The top ten is closed by the Citroen C3, slightly behind with 159,302 units sold.
Finally, a separate mention deserves the Tesla Model 3, which in 2021 was the best-selling electric car in Europe with 141,500 units sold. With these numbers he conquered the seventeenth place in the overall standings, overtaking very popular cars such as the Fiat Panda, the Ford Puma and the Volkswagen T-Cross.
