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Exploring the Top Best-Selling Brands in Europe in 2022
As 2023 winds down, it's a perfect moment to reflect on the automotive scene in Europe during 2022. Two giants of the industry, Volkswagen and Stellantis, once again dominated the European car market, holding their positions as the largest manufacturers on the continent. However, the true highlight of the year belonged to the brands that resonated deeply with European consumers, capturing both their attention and their wallets. In this piece, we'll explore the European automotive landscape of 2022, uncovering the top brands that emerged victorious.
Last year, the Volkswagen Group solidified its position as the leading producer of passenger vehicles across the European Union, the UK, and the EFTA region. Yet, it wasn't just Volkswagen's success story; Stellantis and the Renault Group also achieved commendable progress in a market that contracted by 4.1%, resulting in just 11,286,939 new passenger vehicle registrations.
One of the most fascinating stats from 2022 was the title of Europe's best-selling car model, which went to the Peugeot 208. While familiar brands like Volkswagen and Renault maintained their strong presence, a surprising standout was Dacia, whose sales surged by an impressive 16%.
In the following sections, we’ll dive deeper into the full list of the top 10 best-selling brands in Europe and examine what factors contributed to their success or struggles in such a competitive market.
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### What Are the Best-Selling Brands in 2022?

#### #10 – Hyundai
Sales: 518,566
Fluctuation (2021): +0.5%
Hyundai managed to hold steady at the tenth spot in 2022, selling 518,566 units. This represents a small but positive 0.5% increase compared to 2021, when the brand sold 515,960 units. Although the growth was modest, it demonstrated Hyundai's resilience in a challenging market. Hyundai's success also reflects positively on the broader Hyundai Group, which includes Kia and saw a 4.2% growth overall, securing its position as the fourth-largest carmaker in Europe.
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#### #9 – Skoda
Sales: 538,623
Fluctuation: –8.5%
Skoda, a Czech automaker, slipped one rank this year due to a noticeable dip in sales. The brand registered 538,623 units sold in 2022, down from 588,863 units in 2021—a decline of 8.5%. Despite this setback, Skoda's parent company, the Volkswagen Group, remained the undisputed leader in the European car market.
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#### #8 – Kia
Sales: 542,423
Fluctuation: +7.9%
Kia, another South Korean powerhouse, had an incredible year in 2022. Rising from the 11th position in 2021 to eighth place, Kia's performance was nothing short of spectacular. The brand sold 542,423 units in 2022, a 7.9% increase over the 502,677 units sold in 2021. This growth helped the Hyundai Group (to which Kia belongs) secure the fourth spot in Europe, missing out on third place by only 572 units.
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#### #7 – Renault
Sales: 582,766
Fluctuation: –14.2%
Renault faced a tough year, dropping two positions in the rankings. Sales fell to 582,766 units in 2022, down from 678,709 units in 2021—a 14.1% decline. This downturn was mirrored by Peugeot, another key player under the Stellantis umbrella. Even so, Stellantis itself remained the second-largest car manufacturer in Europe, though it experienced a 13.7% drop in sales.
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#### #6 – Audi
Sales: 614,545
Fluctuation: +2.9%
Audi stood out among the top 10 brands as the sole luxury automaker to see an uptick in sales. The brand reported 614,545 units sold in 2022, up from 597,231 units in 2021—a 2.9% increase. This growth helped the Volkswagen Group maintain its lead in Europe, even as overall sales dipped slightly.
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#### #5 – Peugeot
Sales: 619,173
Fluctuation: –14.5%
Peugeot, despite having Europe's favorite car model, the 208, struggled significantly in 2022. Sales plummeted to 619,173 units, a 14.5% drop from 724,313 units in 2021. This slide pushed Peugeot from second place in 2021 to fifth in 2022. While this decline was steep, it wasn’t the worst among Stellantis’ brands, and Peugeot remains the group’s best-selling name.
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#### #4 – Mercedes
Sales: 634,697
Fluctuation: –1.5%
Mercedes-Benz saw a slight dip in sales in 2022, with 634,697 units sold compared to 644,450 in 2021—a 1.5% decrease. The decline was largely driven by Smart, which saw a massive 39.9% drop in sales. Despite this, Mercedes-Benz stayed in seventh place within the larger carmaker rankings.
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#### #3 – BMW
Sales: 646,538
Fluctuation: –5.4%
BMW made history by climbing to third place for the first time, thanks to a 5.4% decrease in sales compared to 2021. The brand sold 646,538 units, down from 683,164 in the previous year. This drop aligned with the broader trend at BMW Group, which also saw a reduction in sales. As a result, the group moved down to fifth place in Europe.
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#### #2 – Toyota
Sales: 766,769
Fluctuation: +7.6%
Toyota had a banner year, with sales jumping by 7.6% to 766,769 units—up from 712,505 in 2021. This impressive growth propelled Toyota to its highest-ever ranking in Europe, landing it in second place. Online searches for Toyota also surged, making it the most Googled car brand of 2022.
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#### #1 – Volkswagen
Sales: 1,197,455
Fluctuation: –6.9%
Volkswagen maintained its crown as the best-selling brand in Europe, even amidst production hiccups and a challenging market. The brand sold 1,197,455 units in 2022, a 6.9% decrease from 2021. Still, the Volkswagen Group kept its grip on the European market, although total sales fell by around 200,000 units—a 5.7% decline.
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The automotive industry in Europe proved dynamic in 2022, with shifting trends and unexpected highlights. As we look ahead to 2023, it will be fascinating to see how these brands adapt to evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements.