New-car registrations, a key indicator of vehicle sales, rose to 1.36 million units across the European Union, the United Kingdom and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), according to data released on Thursday by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).
The increase highlighted the continuing shift in consumer demand towards electric and hybrid vehicles, supported by purchase incentives and a wider selection of models across major European markets.
Battery-electric vehicle registrations surged by 59.9 per cent year-on-year, while plug-in hybrid registrations increased by 24 per cent. Conventional hybrid vehicles recorded more moderate growth of 5.3 per cent.
Combined, the three categories accounted for 76.2 per cent of all new vehicles registered during the month, underlining the growing importance of electrified powertrains in the European automotive market.
By contrast, petrol-car registrations fell by 20.6 per cent, while diesel registrations dropped by 28.2 per cent, reflecting mounting pressure on traditional combustion-engine vehicles as consumers increasingly consider alternative technologies.
Chinese Automakers Expand European Presence
Chinese carmakers continued to strengthen their position in the European market, recording significant sales increases as competition intensified among established manufacturers and newer entrants.
Chery nearly tripled its sales, while BYD doubled its sales compared with the previous year. Geely and SAIC also reported increases of more than 33 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively.
The combined market share of the four Chinese manufacturers rose to 14.6 per cent from 9.6 per cent a year earlier, signalling their expanding presence in one of the world's most competitive automotive markets.
Their gains come amid growing demand for electrified vehicles and an increasingly diverse range of models available to European consumers.
The figures also point to intensifying competitive pressure on established European manufacturers, which are navigating changing consumer preferences and the transition towards lower-emission vehicles.
Established Manufacturers Face Mixed Results
Performance among major European automakers was mixed in September, with Volkswagen and Renault recording declines in registrations while Stellantis posted an increase.
Registrations at Volkswagen and Renault fell by between 2.9 per cent and 0.7 per cent, while Stellantis recorded growth of 4.5 per cent.
Together, the three automotive groups saw their combined market share decline to 43.7 per cent from 48.4 per cent in the corresponding period a year earlier.
The decline in their combined share, alongside the expansion of Chinese manufacturers, reflects a shifting competitive landscape in which established brands face increasing pressure to retain customers and defend their positions.
September's figures point to two major developments in Europe's automotive industry: the accelerating adoption of electrified vehicles and the growing influence of Chinese carmakers.
While the expansion in overall registrations indicates stronger market activity, the contrasting performance of vehicle categories and manufacturers suggests that the benefits of growth are being distributed unevenly across the industry.