Hungary cars market in 2015 recovered 14% in the best year out of the last seven albeit the economic environment still lost steam. Opel confirmed the leadership while the new Suzuki Vitara jumped in second place.
Economic Outlook
Hungary’s economy lost more steam in the third quarter, expanding at the softest pace since Q2 2013. Subdued performance in the external sector dragged on growth, while a robust labor market supported strong private consumption. Notably, fixed investment swung to contraction as EU developmental funding began to dry up.
Averting a notable economic slowdown this year remains a key challenge for policy makers going forward. More recent data, however, is encouraging: business and consumer sentiment improved in December. In addition, the minimum wage hike that took effect on 1 January should give a boost to household consumption going forward.
Market Outlook
Following a series of 24 year on year growing months, the Hungarian car market ended the 2015 posting a double-digit increase and the best volume level out of the last seven years. However, current level is around the 35% of the record of the 2005.
According to data released by the MGSZ – (Magyar Gépjármű Szövetség), the Hungarian Associations of Car Manufacturers, in the entire 2015 car sales had been 77.172, up 14.4% from the previous year.
Market leader has been again Opel confirming the 2014 position with 8.851 sales (-2.2%) and 11.5% of market share. In second Skoda, up e spot, with 7.781 (+14.7%) followed by Ford with 7.576 (+0.7%), Suzuki with 7.500 (+58.4%), Volkswagen with 6.951 (+19.4%) and Toyota with 3.881 (+15.2%).
The new Suzuki Vitara was very close to be the best-selling model arriving second with 3.733 units on the shoulders of the Skoda Octavia that confirmed its leadership with 4.761 sales (+20.0%). Third was the Opel Astra with 2.861 (+18.1%) ahead of the Ford Focus with 2.491 (-3.8%), the Dacia Duster with 1.737 (-11.4%) and the Opel Corsa with 1.541 (-12.1%).
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models.
