The European Car Market in the First Ten Months of 2025
According to the report of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), which was also provided to the Serbian Association of Vehicle and Parts Importers, new car registrations in the EU in the first ten months of this year show a year-on-year growth of 1.4 percent. A total of 8,974,026 cars were sold, compared to 8,853,301 in the same period of 2024.
In the EFTA market (Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland), 323,368 units were sold from January to October, representing an increase of 5.4 percent, as 306,856 units were sold in the same period last year. In the observed period, the United Kingdom recorded sales of 1,723,120 new cars. Considering that in the first ten months of 2024 the number was 1,658,382, this represents growth of 3.9 percent.
A total of 11,020,514 cars were sold across Europe, including EU member states, EFTA, and the UK. In the same period (January–October) of 2024, the figure was 10,818,539. In percentage terms, this represents a market increase of 1.9 percent.
The market share of electric cars has reached 16.4% since the beginning of the year, but remains below the pace required at this stage of the transition. Hybrid vehicles are the leading choice of drivetrain among consumers, while plug-in hybrids continue gaining momentum.
In the first ten months of 2025, 1,473,447 new electric cars were registered, accounting for 16.4% of the EU market share. The four largest markets in the EU, which together make up 62% of electric registrations, all recorded growth: Germany (+39.4%), Belgium (+10.6%), the Netherlands (+6.6%), and France (+5.3%). The annual increase in electric vehicle sales amounts to 38.6 percent.
In the EFTA market, 162,482 units were delivered, compared to 130,246 last year—an impressive growth of 24.8 percent.
The United Kingdom continues to expand its electric vehicle market. From last year’s result of 299,733 units in the first ten months, the number rose to 386,244 this year—an increase of 28.9 percent.
Overall, sales of electric cars in the EU, EFTA, and the United Kingdom increased by 26.2 percent year-on-year by the end of October. In 2024 the figure was 1,602,342, while in 2025 (January–October) it reached 2,022,173.
Registrations of new hybrid cars in the EU increased to 3,109,362 units, driven by growth in the four largest markets: Spain (+27.1%), France (+26.3%), Germany (+10.3%), and Italy (+8.9%). Hybrid models now account for 34.6% of the EU market. Annual growth is 9.4 percent.
The three EFTA member states recorded a marginal annual increase of 0.1 percent (72,112/72,047), while the United Kingdom posted an increase of 9.6 percent (646,573/590,186). Overall, the EU, EFTA, and the UK recorded hybrid market growth of 14.2 percent, with 3,828,047 cars sold in the first ten months of this year, compared to 3,351,278 in the same period of 2024.
Registrations of plug-in hybrid cars continue to grow, reaching 819,201 units in the observed period. This was driven by increased sales in key markets—Spain (+109.6%), Italy (+76.5%), and Germany (+63.4%). As a result, plug-in hybrid electric cars now represent 9.1% of EU car registrations, compared to 7% last year. The annual growth rate is 43.2 percent.
EFTA recorded growth of 21.3 percent (25,641/21,146), while the United Kingdom grew by 37.1 percent (190,240/138,775).
In total, the EU, EFTA, and the UK sold 1,035,082 plug-in hybrids in the first ten months of this year, compared to 778,781 last year—an increase of 32.9 percent.
By the end of October 2025, petrol car registrations decreased by 18.3%, with all major markets posting declines. France recorded the largest drop, with registrations falling by 32.3%, followed by Germany (-22.5%), Italy (-16.9%), and Spain (-13.7%).
With 2,459,151 newly registered cars so far, the market share of petrol vehicles has fallen to 27.4%, down from 34% in the same period last year. The annual decline for this powertrain type is 18.3 percent.
EFTA recorded a decline of 21.9 percent (47,203/60,455), while the UK recorded -21.3 percent (458,378/582,108). Combined with the EU, the total decline across these markets is 18.9 percent (2,964,732 in 2025 vs. 3,654,298 in 2024).
The diesel car market declined by 24.5%, resulting in a market share of 9.2%. The year-on-year decrease in this period is 21.9 percent. In the first ten months of this year, 821,178 diesel cars were sold, compared to 1,087,048 in the same period of 2024.
In 2024, EFTA recorded sales of 22,932 diesel cars in the first ten months; this year the figure is 15,919, representing a decline of 30.6 percent. The UK recorded a decrease of 12.4 percent. In 2024 (January–October), 47,580 diesel cars were delivered, while in 2025 the number was 41,685.
Overall, the EU, EFTA, and the UK experienced a diesel market decline of 24.1 percent in the observed period. In 2024 the figure was 1,157,560, and in 2025 it fell to 878,782.
Germany remains Europe’s largest market. Its residents bought 2,360,481 cars in the first ten months of this year, compared to 2,348,066 last year—growth of 0.5 percent. The UK posted market growth of 3.9 percent (1,723,120/1,658,382). France recorded 1,326,298/1,401,435, a decrease of 5.4 percent. Italy also recorded a decline (-2.6 percent). In the observed period of 2024, 1,329,082 cars were registered for the first time, while in 2025 the figure was 1,293,967. Spain recorded growth of 14.9% (951,516/828,237).
Austria: 213,004 units in 2024, 239,594 this year (+12.5%).
Bulgaria: 41,148 units in 2025 vs. 36,255 in 2024 (+13.5%).
Croatia: +8.2% (61,891/57,181).
Hungary: +7.7% (99,085/106,755).
Romania: –4.3% (121,609/127,061).
Slovenia: +8.3% (49,301/45,514).
Volkswagen Group delivered 2,477,875 cars in the first ten months of this year, compared to 2,357,643 last year—growth of 5.1 percent. Stellantis sold 1,506,355 units in 2024 and 1,416,202 this year (–6.0%). Renault Group recorded growth of 7.0 percent, increasing from 952,224 cars in 2024 to 1,018,412 this year. Toyota (including Lexus) posted a decline of 5.7 percent, with 663,970 units sold in the observed period this year vs. 704,227 in 2024. Hyundai Group recorded an annual decline of 4.0 percent (675,102 in 2025 vs. 703,472 in 2024). BMW Group posted growth of 6.3 percent (589,643 in 2024 vs. 626,830 in 2025).
As for individual brands, Volkswagen ranks first with 1,017,781 cars sold in the first ten months of this year (966,942 last year, +5.3%). Toyota ranks second with 616,104 cars sold this year (a drop of 6.3% vs. 657,460). Škoda ranks third with 601,963 units sold (544,339 last year), achieving growth of 10.6 percent.
Next in line are:
Renault 545,923 (+7.2%, previously 509,280),
BMW 531,047 (+4.2%, previously 509,780),
Peugeot 469,322 (–2.0%, previously 478,723),
Dacia 465,879 (+5.9%, previously 439,954),
Mercedes-Benz 460,666 (+2.0%, previously 451,743),
Audi 428,839 (–1.2%, previously 434,135),
Hyundai 349,790 (–2.2%, previously 357,541).
Source: ACEA
Photo: AI
English
Serbian
