How did 2026 start for Serbia’s new Vehicle Market ?
16% growth, Hybrids overtake Petrol and SUVs dominate
Sales of new vehicles in Serbia continues on an upward trajectory. In the first three months of 2026, growth in the market for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles has been very strong, according to data from the Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers (Source: Ministry of Interior of Serbia – first registrations of new vehicles, processing: Cube Team).
In the first quarter, a total of 8,120 new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles were registered for the first time in Serbia. This is 1,145 more than in the same period of 2025, when 6,975 vehicles in these two categories (M1 and N1) were registered for the first time, representing an increase of 16.42%.
What is particularly encouraging is that market growth has been recorded not only in passenger cars but also in light commercial vehicles.
A total of 7,000 new passenger cars (M1) were registered for the first time, which is 948 more than in the same period of 2025, marking a growth of 15.66%. As for light commercial vehicles (N1), the market recorded a notable growth of 21.34% in this period. In January–March 2025, 923 units were registered for the first time, while in 2026 that number rose to 1,120, an increase of 197 vehicles.
In terms of brands, looking at first registrations of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles combined, Škoda ranks first with 1,783 units, followed by Toyota with 938, Hyundai with 510, Volkswagen with 418, and BMW with 393 units. When observing passenger cars only, Škoda remains in first place with 1,629 units, followed by Toyota with 831, Hyundai with 496, BMW with 393, Kia with 327, and Dacia with 300 units.
Among light commercial vehicles, Škoda recorded the highest number of first registrations with 154 units, followed by Fiat with 152, Volkswagen with 145, Peugeot with 109, Toyota with 107, and Renault with 81 units.
New vehicle sales by fuel type
Among new passenger cars, hybrid vehicles have overtaken petrol-powered ones. In the first quarter of this year, petrol-powered vehicles accounted for 42.03% of the market, while hybrids (all types) held a 43.20% share. Compared to the same period last year, petrol models increased by 8.80%, while hybrid vehicles saw a total growth of 34.35%.
As in the EU, diesel vehicles are gradually declining in Serbia’s new passenger car market. A total of 810 diesel-powered vehicles were registered for the first time, accounting for 11.57% of the market and representing a decrease of 10.10% compared to 2025.
Vehicles with internal combustion engines that also use gas (alongside petrol) recorded 87 first registrations (1.23%), marking a significant decline of 44.52% compared to the same period last year.
A total of 138 fully electric new passenger cars were registered, representing 1.97% of the market and an increase of 220.93% compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Among new light commercial vehicles, diesel remains the most dominant fuel type, with 804 units registered for the first time, accounting for 71.79% of the market and a growth of 23.69% compared to the same period in 2025. Petrol-powered LCVs follow with 145 units (12.95%) and a growth of 8.21% compared to the first quarter of last year.
LCVs powered by petrol-gas combinations hold a 4.38% market share, with 49 vehicles registered in the first three months of this year, marking a sharp decline of 57.39% compared to the first quarter of 2025, when 115 such vehicles were sold. Hybrids account for 4.02% of the market in this segment, with 45 units registered, compared to 17 in the same period last year.
Out of a total of 1,545 motorcycles sold, all were petrol-powered except for two electric units.
In terms of first registrations of new vehicles (M1 and N1) by class, SUV models (including all subcategories) dominate with a 51.4% share of the total market. City cars (A-segment) account for 4.23%, B-segment vehicles for 7.03%, while the compact (C-segment) holds 16.15%. Mid-size (D-segment) vehicles account for 3.90%, while the executive class makes up around 2%. The “sport” segment accounts for 1.58%, and light commercial vehicles represent 13.80% of the market.
Source: Ministery of interior - Republic of Serbia, Cube Team
Photo: AI
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