Cars, Europe restarts in February: +1.7% registrations

The European automotive market is showing signs of recovery in February. Registrations in Western Europe (EU, EFTA, and the United Kingdom) stand at 979,321 units, an increase of 1.7% compared to the same month in 2025. However, the balance for the first two months of 2026 remains slightly negative: 1,940,321 cars sold, with a decline of 1% year-on-year.

In this context, the performance of the Stellantis group stands out, recording a significant increase both month-on-month and in the first two months of the year. In February, deliveries rise to 170,816 units (+9.5%), with a market share increasing from 16.2% to 17.4%. Since the beginning of the year, registrations have reached 335,426 (+8.2%), with a share rising to 17.3%.

Meanwhile, the expansion of Chinese manufacturers continues. In particular, BYD records 17,954 registrations in Western Europe, with a leap of 162.3% compared to 2025 and a market share rising from 0.7% to 1.8%. SAIC Motor also grows, with 22,360 cars recording an increase of 12% and a share rising to 2.3%. Tesla also returns to positive territory, with 17,664 cars sold (+11.8%) and a share of 1.8%. According to estimates by AlixPartners, by 2030, Chinese vehicles in Europe could reach 800,000 units, bringing the market share from 9% to 13%.

On the energy transition front, registrations of battery electric vehicles are increasing: in the European Union, despite an overall market decline of 1.2% in February, they reach a share of 18.8%, up from 15.2% in the first two months of 2025, for a total of 312,369 units. According to ACEA, the most significant increase is recorded in France (+38.5%) and Germany (+26.3%), while Belgium (-11%) and The Netherlands (-34.9%) decline.

Even more relevant is the weight of hybrids, which with 643,898 registrations represent 38.7% of the European market, confirming themselves as the predominant choice of consumers. The growth is particularly strong in Italy (+29.5%) and Spain (+13.4%), while it remains modest in Germany (+1.1%). Also increasing are plug-in hybrids, which rise to 9.8% of the market compared to 7.4% a year ago.

Despite the advance of electrified technologies, the market share linked to traditional engines remains large. "Today in Europe, 80% of buyers continue to choose other solutions", observes ANFIA, emphasizing the need to accelerate decarbonization also through the use of renewable fuels to meet the climate goals for 2030 and 2035.