Acea's report also illustrates the collapse in Stellantis production: -26% of cars compared to 2023
For the first time, sales of hybrid cars in Europe have exceeded those of gasoline cars. This is revealed by the latest data published by Acea, the European association of automobile manufacturers. In September, almost one in three cars (32.8%) of sales were hybrid, compared to 29.8% in the gasoline segment, down 17.9% compared to the same month of the previous year. . The rise of hybrid models, which have a gasoline engine but also a small electric battery, has been recorded mainly in two countries: France and Spain. Overall, the situation in the automotive sector remains quite complicated. In September, ACEA data reveal, 1,118,083 cars were registered, or 4.2% less than in 2023. For the rest, European data confirms the collapse of diesel, which lost 23, 5% in September. Diesel cars, once the undisputed kings of the market, now represent only 10.4% of new cars sold.
The electric car is raising its head, but remains below expectations
Sales of electric cars are increasing again, but still remain far from expected levels. After months of decline, battery cars represented 17.3% of new sales in Western Europe (EU, EFTA, United Kingdom), up 9.8% year-on-year. If we consider the whole of 2024, the situation is anything but rosy: over the first nine months of the year, electricity sales since the start of the year have been lower by 5.8 % to those of 2023. “Today's results show that we are still far from the thriving electricity market that Europe needs. We should see constant and substantial monthly growth, especially at this crucial moment,” commented Sigrid de Vries, CEO of Acea, who a few days ago in an interview with Open had launched an appeal to European leaders to re-discuss the rules relating to the sector's transition to electricity.
Stellantis collapses
Particularly negative data was recorded by the Stellantis group, which in September produced 148,306 new cars in Europe, 26% less than in the same month last year. The market share occupied by the Italian-French giant decreased, compared to September 2023, from 17.2% to 13.3%. Since the start of the year, Stellantis has sold just over 1.5 million vehicles, down 6% from last year. The gradual decline in production at the group led by Carlos Tavares has sparked particular controversy in Italy, where Stellantis' unclear strategy has been criticized by the government, the opposition and unions.
On the cover: A Suzuki factory in Esztergom, Hungary (EPA/Zsolt Szigetvary)
