Sales of new passenger cars in the European Union increased by 1.4 percent from the start of the year to October compared to the same period last year. This marks the fourth consecutive month of growth. However, the overall volume of cars sold remains far below pre-pandemic levels. The data comes from new vehicle registrations published today by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
Growth in demand for electrified models
The market share of battery-electric vehicles reached 16.4 percent in the first ten months of the year. Still, this remains below the level required at this stage of the transition from combustion engines, as outlined by the European Green Deal, ACEA notes. Hybrid vehicles continue to be the most popular powertrain among buyers, with plug-in hybrids gaining momentum.
The four largest EU markets, which together account for 62 percent of all EV registrations, all recorded growth in the first ten months. Registrations rose by 39.4 percent in Germany, 10.6 percent in Belgium, 6.6 percent in the Netherlands and 5.3 percent in France.
Development across powertrain types
By the end of October 2025, the number of petrol car registrations had fallen by 18.3 percent, with all major markets experiencing a decline. With 2,459,151 new petrol cars registered so far, their market share dropped to 27.4 percent from 34 percent in the same period last year. The diesel segment saw a similar trend, decreasing by 24.5 percent, leaving its market share at 9.2 percent for the January–October period.
The Volkswagen Group maintained its position as Europe’s largest carmaker. Its October sales rose by 7.9 percent year-on-year to 264,069 vehicles, securing a 28.8 percent market share. Since the beginning of the year, the group has recorded a 5.1 percent increase in sales. The group includes Czech automaker Škoda Auto, whose October sales grew by 12.8 percent, giving it a 7.6 percent market share. Since the start of the year, Škoda has increased its sales by 10.6 percent.
Source: ČTK
