It's Too Early to Write Off Diesel – More Than One in Four Cars Sold Is Still Diesel

Even though demand for electric cars keeps growing, diesels are still selling in large numbers. Over the past three months, diesel sales have accounted for 27.2% of the entire Finnish car market, and at Saka the share has been as high as 27.9%. More than one in four cars sold still run on diesel. While the diesel share is declining across the market as a whole, at Saka it has actually risen.

"The popularity of diesel doesn't come as a surprise, since it suits so many uses. Long commutes, towing a trailer or a boat, and cold conditions are all situations where diesel remains a well-justified, excellent choice," says Jaakko Poukkula, Saka's Commercial Director.

As Finnish car buyers increasingly turn to electric, the shift is showing up in diesel car prices. Across the whole market, diesel prices for comparable cars have fallen by around 4–5% over the past three months. At Saka, the drop has been about 7.5–9%, roughly three percentage points steeper than the market. The difference comes down to a pricing decision, not market conditions.

Saka's experience is that a good deal happens when a car's price matches the buyer's actual needs. An affordably priced diesel is an excellent choice for someone who drives a lot. For someone who drives little, an electric or hybrid car can work out cheaper overall, even if the purchase price is higher. That's why Saka calculates the total cost of ownership together with the customer before any purchase.

Transparency is key here. Saka has introduced the Rehti operating model, a fairness-focused approach in which an independent third party, such as A-Katsastus, also assesses the condition of the cars. Before buying, the customer can see the car's condition, findings, and any repair needs in the Rehti certificate.

"This is the perfect moment to buy a diesel car, because prices are very attractive right now. For the buyer, today's diesel price level means that once the market normalizes through depreciation, buyers will end up getting a very good deal in the long run. It pays to buy while prices are low. Our job is to help customers and tell them honestly who diesel suits and who it doesn't," Poukkula concludes.

For more information and interview requests: Jaakko Poukkula, Commercial Director, jaakko.poukkula@saka.fi