2012 Best Selling Passenger Cars In Europe (All Models Ranked)
In 2012, the European car market was still grappling with the aftermath of the global financial crisis that began in 2008. Economic challenges, especially in southern European countries, had an impact on car sales. In 2012, new passenger car registrations in the European Union (EU) declined by 8.2% compared to 2011. It marked the fifth consecutive year of decline since the 2007 peak, indicating the depth of the recession’s impact on the automotive industry.
The Volkswagen Golf maintained its position as the best-selling car in Europe. It’s a staple of the European car market, appealing to a broad range of consumers due to its reliability, efficiency, and quality. Popular especially in the UK, the Ford Fiesta remained a strong competitor in the small car segment. A significant player in the compact segment, especially in France and other parts of southern Europe, the Renault Clio is a big seller. Having been launched in 2012, the Peugeot 208 had a strong debut year, reflecting Peugeot’s strong presence in the compact car segment.
