European car sales up 5.9% in July: boom for Byd, down Tesla and Stellantis

The car market in Europe - EU, EFTA and UK - grew with 1.85 million registrations in July, 5.9 per cent more than in the same month of 2024. In the first seven months of the year, according to Acea's (the European manufacturers' association) data, sales of new cars, however, remained virtually unchanged compared to the same period in 2024. July's result, therefore, helped to offset the declines of previous months and remain at last year's levels.

Acea notes that in July, electric cars reached 15.6 per cent of the market in the EU, up from 12.5 per cent in 2024 but still far from what would be needed for the transition. Hybrids account for 34.7% of the market and remain the first choice of consumers. In the month, registrations of hybrid cars (+11.1% to 372,026 units), Bev (+33.6% to 186,440 units) and plug-in hybrids (+52.3% to 111,453 units) increased.

Stellantis sold 151,391 cars in July in Western Europe - EU, Efta and UK - 1.1% less than the same month in 2024. Market share dropped from 14.9% to 13.9%. In the seven months, the group's registrations were 1,192,746, down 8.1%, with the share dropping from 16.4 to 15.1%.

July saw further sharp declines for Tesla sales in Europe, while Chinese cae are growing. In the month, Elon Musk's carmaker registered 8,837 units (-40.2%), with market share down to 0.8% from 1.4%. In the January-July period, Tesla's registrations were 119,013, down 33.6 per cent year-on-year, with share down to 1.5 per cent from 2.3 per cent.

Saic Motors recorded 23,316 registrations (+13.1%) in July, with share up to 2.1% from 2%, while over the seven months volumes rose by 17.8% and market share increased to 2.2% from 1.9%. Sales boom for Byd: in July +225.3% to 13,503 units (share up to 1.2% from 0.4%), year-to-date +290.6% to 84,416 units (share up to 1.1% from 0.3%).