In April, the European car market witnessed a significant surge, with new passenger car registrations experiencing a remarkable 16% increase, reaching a total of 960,191 units. The primary catalyst behind this growth can be attributed to the rising demand for battery electric vehicles (EVs). However, traditional combustion-powered vehicles also saw robust sales during the same period.
Leading the pack as Europe’s best-selling model in April was the Dacia Sandero, with an impressive 18,659 units finding new homes. This marked a substantial 44% increase compared to April 2022. Other popular models included the VW T-Roc (16,746 units), Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (16,578 units), Renault Clio (15,592 units), and the Peugeot 208, with 15,026 examples sold. Notable mentions also go to the Fiat/Abarth 500, Toyota Yaris Cross, VW Golf, Dacia Duster, Skoda Octavia, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, and Ford Puma, all of which enjoyed strong sales.
Among electric vehicles, the Tesla Model Y emerged as the most sought-after EV, with a total of 10,553 units sold in April. This achievement allowed the Model Y to maintain its position as Europe’s best-selling new passenger car year-to-date. Following closely behind, the VW ID.4 secured the second spot among EVs, with 6,452 units sold, reflecting a remarkable 125% increase from April 2022. The VW ID.3 also made a substantial impact, with 5,913 units sold, showcasing an impressive 259% increase compared to the same month last year. Rounding off the top 10 best-selling EVs were the Skoda Enyaq iV, Dacia Spring, MG 4, Volvo XC40 Recharge, Fiat 500e, Peugeot e-208, and Renault Megane E-Tech.
In the realm of plug-in hybrids, the Ford Kuga stood out as the best-seller, with 4,055 units sold. It surpassed popular contenders like the Volvo XC60, Lynk & Co 01, Kia Sportage, and Hyundai Tucson.
When considering overall brand performance, Volkswagen retained its position as Europe’s best-selling brand, selling a total of 105,669 vehicles during the month of April. This marked a substantial 30% increase compared to April 2022. Audi secured second place with 58,841 sales, followed by Toyota with 54,224, Renault with 53,013, and BMW with 52,673 new-vehicle sales. Notably, Volkswagen also took the lead in EV sales, with a total of 31,900 units sold, outperforming Tesla, which sold 14,200 EVs.
Contrary to popular belief, data from JATO Dynamics indicates that Chinese-made vehicles constituted a mere 3.4% of the European market in the previous month, amounting to just under 32,000 units.
Felipe Munoz, a global analyst at JATO Dynamics, attributed these results to the alleviation of supply chain pressures, which subsequently increased the availability of new cars. Additionally, he highlighted the rising demand as a response to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) expanding their EV offerings.
The European car market’s recent growth, driven by the surging demand for electric vehicles, showcases a promising shift towards sustainable transportation options. With increased availability and a diverse range of EV models, consumers are embracing the benefits of electric mobility, contributing to a greener future for the European automotive landscape.
