Second biggest car brand in UK over a full year for first time
Figures released today by the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) also show that Volkswagen posted a 10.06% share of new car sales in December, just 0.13% behind the market leader.
Volkswagen’s growth was spread across the range, with Tiguan and Polo performing particularly well. But it was the Golf which really stood out, as its popularity made it the best-selling car in its class in the UK for the first time with a clear 4,702 sales lead over its nearest rival.
With a market share of 8.21%, Volkswagen is now the UK’s second biggest car brand. Last year its share was 7.69%.
Recent revisions have bolstered the Golf’s long-standing popularity with UK buyers. It took the top-spot in the monthly best-sellers‘ list on three separate occasions during 2017, including December.
The Polo is also a firm favourite with UK buyers at seventh place overall in 2017, making it the UK’s third most popular supermini. The new, sixth-generation model is now available to order and is expected to be another hit thanks to a notable increase in interior space and the availability of cutting-edge technology.
New Products
The brand has been busy launching a flurry of new products. Aside from the revised Golf, the new Tiguan enjoyed its first full year on sale, and is about to be joined by a long wheelbase version – the Tiguan Allspace. The all-electric e-Golf has been updated with a significantly more powerful battery for better performance and a major increase in usable range. In addition, the revised Golf SV, Arteon and T-Roc – Volkswagen’s first crossover – have all gone on sale.
The Arteon is the stylish new flagship of the Volkswagen range. An avant-garde gran turismo with svelte fastback styling, the new five-door, five-seat Arteon combines sports car detailing with luxury motoring in a muscular yet elegant design.
The T-Roc, meanwhile, sees Volkswagen enter a new market segment with this eye-catching and sporty model. Sitting beneath the established and extremely popular Tiguan SUV, and above the forthcoming new T-Cross small SUV, the T-Roc represents a key element of Volkswagen’s ongoing SUV offensive.
2018
And this year promises even more excitement. Over the next few months Volkswagen is looking to tempt customers further with the arrival of the thrilling new up! GTI and Polo GTI hot hatches, while a new Touareg luxury SUV and the aforementioned T-Cross small SUV will also debut.
Alison Jones, Director of Volkswagen UK, said: “Against the backdrop of a declining market, Volkswagen performed strongly in the UK during 2017. We have the right products for UK customers – particularly now that our growing SUV range has been bolstered by the new T-Roc – and our Retailer Network continues to offer ever-improving levels of already-high customer satisfaction.
“We are determined to continue this positive momentum into 2018 and beyond.”
For more details on the full Volkswagen range – together with brochures and pricing – and to use Volkswagen’s detailed online configurator, please visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.