ANALYSIS
Winners and losers of 2023
Supply issues eased but weren’t resolved, EVs moved into the mainstream and inflation pained the nation. This was another challenging year for car makers. Which fared best?
The new Dacia Jogger is doing well and is now the only non-van-based MPV in the C-segment.
Porsche now accounts for 60% of luxury saloon sales with the Taycan and Panamera.
The SMMT’s forecast for 2023 UK car sales is 1.89 million. That’s a 17% improvement on last year, although it would still only take the market back to where it was in 1994.
ALFA ROMEO
⇩ 2022 share: 0.10%
2023 share: 0.08%
The Tonale crossover arrived to give sales a big boost, but all that happened is Giulia and Stelvio sales fell accordingly.
ALPINE
⇩ 2022 share: 0.02%
2023 share: 0.02%
Alpine is bravely keeping the flame alive for lightweight, driver-focused sports cars, but the torrents of SUVs and EVs aren’t helping.
ASTON MARTIN
⇩ 2022 share: 0.07%
2023 share: 0.05%*
Given that the DBX SUV is now fully established, Aston should be doing better. It’s still losing money, while DB12 production difficulties are limiting sales.
AUDI
⇧ 2022 share: 6.82%
2023 share: 7.26%
After five years of problems, from Euro 6to chip shortages, Audi is finally powering ahead. The A3 could finish up as the best-selling C-segment hatch.
BENTLEY
⇩ 2022 share: 0.10%
2023 share: 0.07%
Sales worldwide and in the UK are down a bit, but it still has a profit margin of more than 20%, as each car it does sell is more customisable than ever.
BMW
⇩ 2022 share: 6.73%
2023 share: 5.75%
BMW has lost significant share. It says it’s focused on profit, not volume. The most surprising fact is that the 4Series now outsells the 3 Series.