Data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed that in July, the number of registrations of new passenger cars in the European Union rose by 0.2% per year, to 852,051 units, after an increase by 4.3% per year in June. Economists had expected a 0.3% decrease.
The data also showed that the number of registrations of new passenger cars fell by 2.1% per annum in Germany and 2.3% per annum in France, but increased in Italy (+4.7% per annum) and Spain (+3.4% per annum).
Meanwhile, from the beginning of the year (to July) new car registrations increased by 3.9%, reaching more than 6.5 million units. This is the result of a low comparison base.
ACEA said that in July, the battery-electric car market share fell to 12.1% from 13.5% in July 2023. Overall, new battery-electric car sales fell by 10.8% per annum, to 102,705 units. Hybrid-electric vehicles increased their market share, growing from 25.5% to 32%. New registrations of hybrid-electric cars increased by 25.7% per annum, to 273,003 units. The combined share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 46% from 50%. Petrol car sales dropped by 7% per annum, to 284,270 units, while the diesel car market contracted by 10.1% per annum, to 107,670 units.