New EU car registrations fall 6.1% in September

In September 2024, new EU car registrations continued their downward trajectory (-6.1%), according to the latest data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Negative results were observed across three of the region’s four major markets: France (-11.1%) and Italy (-10.7%), with the German market declining by 7%. On the other hand, Spain experienced a healthy rebound (+6.3%).

Nine months into 2024, new car registrations remained stable (+0.6%) and almost reached 8 million units. Spain (+4.7%) and Italy (+2.1%) showed positive performances, while the French and the German car markets declined (-1.8% and ‑1%, respectively).

New EU car registrations by power source

While battery-electric cars accounted for 17.3% of the EU car market in September, up from 14.8% last year, the year-to-date volumes dropped by 5.8% with the total market share falling to 13.1% from 14% last year. Plug-in hybrid car registrations for September also declined by a sizeable 22.3%.

Electric cars

Registrations of battery-electric cars rose by 9.8% to 139,702 units in September 2024. However, year-to-date market volume was still 5.8% lower than the same period last year, with the total market share falling to 13.1% from 14%, driven by a substantial decrease in Germany (-28.6%).

Plug-in hybrid car registrations saw a decrease (-22.3%) last month, with declines recorded in all major markets. In September, plug-in hybrids accounted for 6.8% of the car market, down from 8.2% last year, with 54,889 units sold.

Hybrid-electric registrations grew in September, rising by 12.5%. The market share now stands at 32.8%, up from 27.4% in September 2023, surpassing petrol.

Petrol and diesel cars

In September 2024, petrol car sales dropped by 17.9%, with all four key markets recording double-digit declines: France (-31.9%), Italy (-23.3%), Germany (-15.2%), and Spain (‑10.7%). Petrol cars now represent 29.8% of the market, down from 34% in the same month last year. The diesel car market saw a decline of 23.5%, resulting in a 10.4% share of the market last September. Overall, decreases were observed in two-thirds of EU markets.