Slovakia Autos sales grew 2.1% in 2018 signing the fifth consecutive annual gain, closing with registrations at 98.079. Skoda kept dominating with 19.7% market share, ahead of Volkswagen and Hyundai. Peugeot shines, up 19.3%, but even Dacia and Toyota fast run the year
Economic Environment
Slovakian economy seems to have partly carried over into the fourth quarter, powered by strong domestic activity. Retail sales surged in the October-November period, buttressed by softer price pressures and the unemployment rate hitting a new historical low. Meanwhile, fixed investment likely softened at year-end, with major projects within the all-important car industry wrapping up. On the supply front, industrial production lost steam in November, after seven months of impressive expansion.
This year, economic growth should outpace most EU area states, buoyed by sturdy private consumption and increased car production. Households are expected to continue benefiting from subdued inflationary pressures and a tight labor market. Meanwhile, completed manufacturing projects should stoke industrial production, boosting export growth in turn, although a shortage of skilled workers will restrain output. A further deceleration among European economies remains a key risk to the outlook.
Market Trend
Slovakian vehicles market in recent years has been one of the most dynamic in Europe, while the country become a manufacturing hub for the entire continent, with the highest ratio of produced vehicles per people in the continent. The domestic new vehicles sales scored an impressive series of all time record, starting from the 2014.
Indeed according to data released by the Slovakia Associations of Car Manufacturers, in the last five years the market grew up without break while the speed declined year after year, ending with a 2018 record of 98.079 sales, up a mere 2.1% from the previous year.
Competitive Arena
At brand wise, the 2018 dominator was Skoda with 19.355 sales (+2.4%) with 19.7% of market share.
In second place Volkswagen with 8.684 units (-4.2%) followed by Hyundai with 7.621 (+5.6%), Kia with 7.043 (+2.7%), Peugeot with 6.113 (+19.3%), Dacia with 4.900 (+10.5%) and Toyota with 4.812 (+13.3%).
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models
