The VW Golf was Europe's top-selling compact in the first half.
Volkswagen Group finished the first half strong, taking the top slot in eight of 10 key volume segments.
Brands from Europe's largest automaking group were also No. 1 in four of 11 premium segments tracked by Automotive News Europe and market researcher Dataforce.
VW brand accounted for seven of the segment No. 1s, according to Dataforce's preliminary data, which represents about 94 percent of sales in the European Union plus ETFA countries and the U.K.
The winners for VW brand included the T-Roc (small SUV and coupe/convertible), Golf (compact), Tiguan (compact SUV), Passat (midsize) and the Caddy (compact vans).
The midsize/large SUV segment was led by the Kodiaq from VW's sister brand Skoda.
In the premium segments, VW Group subsidiaries Audi and Porsche were No. 1 in four categories including compact premium (Audi A3) and luxury sedan (Porsche Taycan).
The BMW XM plug-in hybrid SUV passed the Lamborghini Urus for the first-half lead in the exotic segment.
BMW Group, however, had more No. 1s than VW Group in the premium segments with a total of five in the first half, based on Dataforce's preliminary figures.
BMW brand accounted for three of those top spots: 3 Series (midsize premium), X5 (premium large SUV); and the XM plug-in hybrid SUV passed the Lamborghini Urus for the first-half lead in the exotic segment.
Meanwhile, BMW Group member Mini's signature hatchback was No. 1 in two segments: small premium and premium convertible.
Tesla and Ford take H1 titles
The Tesla Model Y was Europe's No. 1 selling full-electric model in the first half of 2023, while the Ford Kuga was the top-selling plug-in hybrid.
The Model Y was also the No. 1-selling car overall at the midpoint of 2023.
The plug-in hybrid sector's No. 2-seller was the Lynk & CO 01 followed by the Volvo XC60 and XC40, with the Hyundai Tucson rounding out the top five, according to Dataforce's preliminary numbers.
Overall sales of full-electric cars rose 45 percent to 853,720 in the first half.
The plug-in hybrid sector was up 1.8 percent to 434,051 through June.
