Registrations retreat after months of growth
Europe’s passenger car market opened the year on weaker footing, with January registrations reversing course after several months of expansion. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) show that total new registrations across the EU, the U.K., Switzerland, Norway and Iceland fell 3.5% compared with the same month a year earlier, reaching 961,382 vehicles.
The decline ended a run of growth that had persisted since mid-2025. Germany and France, two of the region’s largest auto markets, recorded notable contractions, alongside Belgium and Poland. Norway saw the most dramatic reversal, with registrations tumbling by roughly 76% year on year.
Sector faces strategic and trade headwinds
The downturn unfolds against a backdrop of structural change. European automakers continue adjusting to mounting competition from lower-cost Chinese manufacturers while recalibrating long-term electrification strategies amid shifting regulatory timelines.
At the same time, the global trade environment remains unsettled. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated much of the prior tariff framework has added another layer of unpredictability for exporters and multinational carmakers managing supply chains across continents.
Combustion engines lose market share rapidly
Petrol-powered vehicles experienced a pronounced contraction, with registrations falling approximately 26% compared with January 2025. France recorded a 49% slide, while Germany posted a 30% drop in petrol registrations.
This sharp pullback reduced petrol vehicles’ share of the European market from nearly one-third a year earlier to just above 20%, signaling the accelerating retreat of traditional combustion engines.
Electrified models expand presence
Demand trends favored alternative drivetrains. Battery-electric vehicle registrations advanced around 14%, plug-in hybrids climbed 32%, and conventional hybrids increased roughly 6% year on year.
Combined, these electrified segments represented 69% of new registrations in January, up from 59% during the same period last year, reinforcing the broader shift in buyer preferences despite overall market softness.
Mixed results for major manufacturers
Performance among leading brands varied. Volkswagen registrations fell 3.8%, BMW declined 5.7%, Renault dropped 15%, and Toyota decreased 13.4%. In contrast, Stellantis recorded a 6.7% gain and Mercedes-Benz posted a 2.8% increase.
Chinese manufacturer BYD continued expanding its European footprint, with registrations surging 165%. Meanwhile, Tesla’s challenges persisted, as its January registrations were down 17% year on year, marking the thirteenth consecutive monthly decline according to ACEA data.