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The Volkswagen Golf Tops the List of the Bestselling Models in Europe

All but two of the models had falling sales

The VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
9654 photos
31 videos
GolfVolkswagen Volkswagen Golf Gen.7 [VII]Germany, 2012 > present363 versions
458 photos
tops Jato Dynamics' list of bestselling models in Europe from January to June of 2013, but the real story is that all but two of the cars on the list have had their sales fall in the first half of 2013.

The BMW 3 SeriesBMW BMW 3 Series Gen.6 [F30/F31]Germany, 2012 > present115 versions
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1 video
and Renault ClioRenault Clio Gen.4France, 2012 > present92 versions
164 photos
both had growing sales in the first half. Technically, the Peugeot 208Peugeot 208 Gen.1France, 2012 > present103 versions
198 photos
3 videos
also had its sales grow, but it had only just gone on sale in the summer of 2012, so it is an unfair comparison.

It appears that the market may be turning around because in June there were five models with growing sales - the Golf, Clio, 208, FocusFord Ford Focus (UK) Gen.3United Kingdom, 2011 > present207 versions
299 photos
and 3 Series.

The Nissan Qashqai in tenth place on the list is the only model made from a non-European automaker.

The list also shows that compact hatchbacks are incredibly popular in Europe with all but the QashqaiNissan QashqaiJapan, 2006 > 2014305 versions
384 photos
and 3 Series being in the category.

10. BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series is the tenth bestselling car in Europe in the first six months of the year. BMW has moved 103,538 of them, a 13.2% increase over last year. It is one of two cars on this list that has seen sales increase in the first six months of the year.

9. Opel/Vauxhall Astra

The Opel/Vauxhall Astra is the ninth bestselling car in Europe in the first six months of 2013. A combined 105,152 have been sold so far this year, but that is down 17.7% from last year, which is the biggest drop on this list.

8. Nissan Qashqai

Qashqai sales are down 0.8% in the first six months of the year to 113,571 cars. However, it is the only car on the list made by a manufacturer that is not headquartered in Europe.

7. Ford Focus

The Ford Focus is the seventh bestselling car in Europe from January to June with 122,667 sold, down 11.9% from the same period in 2012. However, sales for June were higher than in 2012. It is possible that sales of the Focus could turn around.

6. Opel/Vauxhall Corsa

The Corsa is the second entry from Opel/Vauxhall on this list. It has sold 131,905 units in the first six months of this year, down 11.9% from the same period in 2012.

5. Peugeot 208

The Peugeot 208 ranks fifth on the list, but it is tough to really classify. From January to June 2012, Peugeot had sold 41,698 208s because the car went on sale in the summer. So far this year, Peugeot has sold 136,860 208s. It is a 328% increase but not a truly fair comparison.

4. Volkswagen Polo

The Volkswagen Polo is the fourth bestselling car in Europe from January to June with 142,800 sold, 12.8% less than last year. Even Volkswagen is being hit with falling sales.

3. Ford Fiesta

Ford's second entry on this list is the Fiesta, which has sold 153,617 units from January to June, a 10.6% decrease. Clearly the winning combination in European sales is to offer the 1-2 punch of five-door hatchbacks in two sizes.

2. Renault Clio

The Renault Clio is the other car on this list that has had a sales increase in the first six months of the year. It has sold 153,997 units, a 17.8% increase over last year. Renault clearly has a hit on its hands with the new car.

1. Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is the bestselling car in Europe from January to June with 236,865 units sold. Sales are down 1.3% over last year, but Golf is selling 53.81% better than the Clio is second place. The falling sales show how hard the European auto market is at the moment.