2020: A GLOBAL REVIEW

LAST YEAR WAS THE MOST TURBULENT FOR THE GLOBAL CAR MARKET SINCE THE 2008 GFC. HERE’S WHO BENEFITTED FROM THE CHAOS – AND WHO SUFFERED

Our exposé of the winners and losers to emerge from a year unlike any other

COVID-19 DOMINATED the headlines last year and, unsurprisingly, wreaked havoc with global new-car markets, figures from analysis firm Jato Dynamics reveal.

The top 11 global markets sold 7.71 million fewer cars in 2020 than in 2019 for an unprecedented 12.6 percent year-on-year drop. Just one of those countries – South Korea – recorded an increase, while the UK’s 28 percent decline made it the worst performer globally.

Of course, there were bright spots amid the carnage: Toyota regained its crown as the biggest global car maker; premium cars remained in significant demand in China; and electric cars continued to sell in ever-bigger numbers. In fact, the 28 percent increase in global batteryelectric car sales highlights the investment, technology and political push behind them, at least globally, if not in Australia.

Another significant trend was the continuing slide in luxury sedan demand, as buyers move to SUVs. Cadillac and Lincoln, for example, pulled three sedans from the market, while the big BMW X7 made an instant impact in its first full year on sale.

Elsewhere, Mercedes-Benz sold more cars than BMW, as in 2019, but when all brands are included, the BMW Group was again bigger than Daimler.

Meanwhile, Porsche’s 911 is showing no sign of losing its global crown, while the new mid-engined Chevy Corvette was also a rip-roaring success in a buoyant supercar market.