Peugeot 208: The Queen of Automobiles in Europe, Driven by Electric Power

Thanks to its electric version, the Peugeot 208 is knocking the Volkswagen Golf off the throne of car sales in Europe.

In Europe, the number 1 car had been the Volkswagen Golf for several years. A consensus compact sedan loved in Germany, the continent’s auto market, it also appealed to customers in many other countries. But as purchase prices soar and electrification progresses, the sales ranking is reshuffled in 2022.

Peugeot 208 removes the Golf from the top three

In this context, the German model experiences a drastic decline. The Volkswagen Golf is no longer even on the podium, with a -13% drop and just over 170,000 units sold. It gives way to the Peugeot 208, which increases by 5% to nearly 200,000 units. The French hatchback achieves this score partly because it sells the 100% electric version under the same name: Peugeot e-208. This variant is also the top seller among small electric cars, ahead of the Renault ZOE and Dacia Spring.

Following the 208, there is a car that highlights the surge in prices: the Dacia Sandero. Also up in 2022, this low-cost model exceeds 190,000 units, overtaking the Volkswagen T-Roc, which ranks third with less than 175,000 units. Indeed, starting at €11,490, with features that are certainly less comprehensive than a basic 208 priced at €19,200, the Sandero offers a modern design and is also available with LPG.

Tesla enters the Top 20 and is number 1 in December

Electric vehicles are therefore a strong trend in Europe’s automotive market. Tesla benefitted from this phenomenon, gradually climbing the sales rankings. Even more impressively, the brand is ranked #1 and #2 with its Model Y and Model 3 in December 2022! Over the entire year, the Tesla Model Y comes in twelfth place, nearly beating the Renault Clio!

The Tesla Model 3 remains in 33rd position, declining by 35%, largely cannibalized by the SUV. Other exclusively electric cars like the Volkswagen ID.4 ranked 7th in December and made it into the Top 50, as did the Fiat 500e.

Top 20 car sales in Europe in 2022

1. Peugeot 208: 199,302 (+5%)
2. Dacia Sandero: 191,499 (+1%)
3. Volkswagen T-Roc: 174,663 (-4%)
4. Volkswagen Golf: 170,689 (-13%)
5. Toyota Yaris: 165,462 (-4%)
6. Opel Corsa: 158,935 (-9%)
7. Volkswagen Tiguan: 142,848 (-8%)
8. Hyundai Tucson: 141,344 (+1%)
9. Dacia Duster: 137,275 (+2%)
10. Citroën C3: 137,143 (-10%)
11. Renault Clio: 136,581 (-27%)
12. Tesla Model Y: 134,975 (+421%)
13. Peugeot 2008: 133,223 (-28%)
14. Ford Puma: 131,478 (-4%)
15. Kia Sportage: 131,336 (+56%)
16. Toyota Yaris Cross: 130,579 (+394%)
17. Renault Captur: 128,330 (-15%)
18. Fiat Panda: 123,874 (-8%)
19. Ford Kuga: 122,268 (+19%)
20. Toyota Corolla: 117,343 (-13%)

Also read: Auto Market France: new record of electric cars in 2022