Car market in the EU: Tesla crashes, BYD gains ground

Contents

Sales of new cars in the EU increased significantly in July. Compared to the same month last year, 7.4 percent more cars were registered for the first time, corresponding to 914.680 new cars. A total of 6.491.448 new cars were sold in the EU in the first seven months. This is according to figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Developments up to the end of July

The drive turnaround is slow, even if the number of electric cars is increasing – and even quite strongly in percentage terms. By the end of July, 1.011.903 battery electric cars had been registered for the first time this year, compared to 814,992 last year – an increase of 24.2 percent. Growth was mainly driven by markets such as Germany (+38.4 percent, 297.340), Austria (+45.2 percent, 36.454), Denmark (+48.2 percent, 66.466) and Spain (+89.6 percent, 54.927). However, the electric car still only occupies third place among the drive types by a wide margin.

The hybrid drive (excluding plug-in hybrids) dominates with 34.7 percent, ahead of the petrol car, which had a 28.3 percent market share. The battery-electric car follows at a considerable distance with 15.6 percent. Diesel (9.6 percent) and PHEV (8.6 percent) follow. Compared to the first seven months of the year, diesel cars continued to lose ground, while plug-in hybrids made slight year-on-year gains.

Sales figures in July

In July, 142.699 e-cars were registered for the first time, which corresponds to an increase of 39.1 percent. The percentage increase in plug-in hybrids was even stronger at 56.9%, with 91.190 new registrations. Petrol and diesel cars without the support of an electric motor continued to lose ground, which is also due to the dwindling supply. Many manufacturers are focusing on at least mild hybrids across the board in order to reduce fleet consumption.

In total, around 63.000 more cars were sold in July than a year earlier. Developments in the five largest markets in the EU varied. Germany continues to lead the EU with 264.802 new registrations in July (11.1 percent). It was followed by Italy (-5.1 percent, 118.583) and France (-7.7 percent, 116.377) with losses. In Spain (17.1 percent, 98.377) and the Netherlands (16.5 percent, 50.265), more cars were sold in July than a year earlier.

Volkswagen up slightly, Stellantis down sharply

The situation for manufacturers is developing very differently this year. The Volkswagen Group with all its brands recorded a slight increase, with 1.782.824 new registrations, 3.8 percent more than in the first seven months of last year. The main drivers were Skoda (10.5 percent growth) and Cupra (37 percent more). The multi-brand group Stellantis suffered a decline of 9.9 percent. Virtually all brands were down, with the exception of Alfa Romeo (33.8 percent). Peugeot was still able to maintain its figures, but other volume brands such as Citroën (-11.3 percent) and Opel (-12.6 percent) found significantly fewer buyers than a year earlier.

There were two striking developments in the lower ranks. The Chinese brand Build your dreams (BYD) sold 58.434 cars by the end of July, which corresponds to an increase of 251.3 percent. These cars are still exotic in terms of overall sales in the EU, but they have already overtaken Mitsubishi and Honda, and Mazda is well within reach. Tesla has fallen out of favor with customers. In the first seven months of last year, the brand sold 137.071 cars in the EU; this year, only 77.446 – were sold, a drop of 43.5 percent.

(mfz)