Germany, UK lead 10.7% rise in September European car sales, ACEA saysNew car sales in Europe rose 10.7 per cent in September, driven by growth in almost all markets led by Germany and the UK, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association data showed on Tuesday.
Why it’s important
Europe’s struggling car industry is grappling with multiple challenges, including high production costs, US import tariffs, a slower-than-expected transition to electric vehicles and the risk of supply disruptions stemming from a stand-off between China and the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia. Carmakers have ramped up PHEV sales to comply with emissions standards by producing cars that are more affordable and profitable than pure EVs.
By the numbers
Sales in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association rose to 1.237 million cars in September, driven in part by the launch of new models, ACEA data showed.
Registrations at Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault rose year-on-year by 9.7 per cent, 11.5 per cent and 15.2 per cent, respectively.
Tesla’s sales dropped 10.5 per cent, squeezing its market share to 3.2 per cent from 4.0 per cent a year ago. BYD’s sales rose 398 per cent to give it 2 per cent of the market from 0.4 per cent in September of 2024.
Total EU car sales rose 10 per cent. Registrations of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric cars were up 20 per cent, 65.4 per cent and 15.9 per cent, respectively, to account collectively for about 64 per cent of the bloc’s registrations, up from 57 per cent in September 2024.
Overall sales rose 12.8 per cent in Germany, 13.7 per cent in the UK, 16.4 per cent in Spain, 4.2 per cent in Italy and 1 per cent in France.
Quote
“The battery-electric car market share held steady at 16.1 per cent YTD, still below the pace required at this stage of the transition,” ACEA said.
