The Tesla Model 3 was Europe's top-seller in December, helped by a 9.9 percent increase in an overall market that was down by double digits. The Model 3 was also No. 1 in Europe in September.
MG, Tesla, Ferrari, DS and Maserati had triple- or double-digit sales percentage increases in December in an overall European market that was down by 29 percent.
Among the 15 brands that beat the market were Porsche, Kia, Mini, Hyundai, Lotus, Toyota, Bentley and Aston Martin, according to figures from market researcher JATO Dynamics.
The semiconductor shortage was the main reason for the region's sales decline.
MG was up 164 percent because of strong demand for the MG5 full-electric station wagon.
Tesla increased sales 35 percent, helped by the Model Y and Model 3, which was Europe's overall top-seller for the month.
Ferrari rose 13 percent, boosted by sales of the Roma coupe.
Other brands that recorded gains last month were DS Automobile (+3.6 percent) and Maserati (+2.8 percent), according to JATO.
Models that increased sales sharply in December included the Cupra Formentor SUV (+188 percent), Volkswagen ID4 EV (+60 percent) and the Ford EcoSport crossover, which rose 30 percent to 2,167 sales.
Top-sellers
The Tesla Model 3 Europe's No. 1 seller for the second time in 2021, ending the Renault Clio's win streak at one month.
The Model 3 was one of seven different models to finish on top for at least a single month in 2021. It was also one of three models to win multiple months. It was also No. 1 in September.
The others multiple month winners were the Volkswagen Golf (March-June) and Dacia Sandero (July and August).
The other single month winners were the Toyota Yaris (January), Peugeot 208 (February), Peugeot 2008 (October) and Renault Clio (November).
Also in the top five last month were the 208, at No. 2, the Clio in third, the 2008 at No. 4 and the Sandero in fifth place.
The Model 3 and the Dacia Duster SUV were the only two models in the top 10 for December that finished with sales gains.
The models that lost sales in December included the 208 (-10 percent), Clio (-18 percent), 2008 (-11 percent), Sandero (-9 percent) and the Golf, which fell 55 percent.
Despite the big decline in December, the Golf was Europe's No. 1 seller for the year with a volume of 205,328, followed by the Clio (193,304), which edged the Sandero (192,482), 208 (191,220) and 2008 (190,261). Just 3,043 sales separated the No. 2 and No. 5 finishers.
