On June 23, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) released its latest new-car registration data. In May 2026, new vehicle registrations across Europe, including the European Union, the UK, and EFTA countries, reached 1,152,523 units, up 3.6% year-on-year and broadly flat compared with April. Within the European Union alone, registrations totaled 955,013 units, increasing 3.2% from a year earlier but edging down slightly from the previous month. EU’s new car registraions in May 2026 The region’s powertrain mix continued to evolve. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) remained the dominant segment, accounting for 37.5% of registrations through May. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increased their share to 21.4%, while plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for 10.2%. Conventional internal-combustion vehicles continued to lose ground, with the combined share of gasoline and diesel models falling to 28.9%, down significantly from 36.4% a year earlier. Policy adjustments across several European markets—including charging incentives, tax reductions, and corporate fleet renewal programs—have helped sustain demand for electrified vehicles. Europe’s new car registrations by power sources in May 2026 YTD Against this backdrop of market recovery, Chinese brands continued to expand rapidly. ACEA data show that Chinese automakers’ combined share of European registrations has risen to 11.4%. Among them, Leapmotor was one of the fastest-growing brands. The company registered 9,945 vehicles in Europe in May, up 465.1% year-on-year. Registrations for the first five months of the year reached 43,037 units, representing growth of 552.9%. Its performance was particularly concentrated in Italy, where registrations reached 4,765 units in May, more than 12 times higher than a year earlier and accounting for more than half of its European volume. The Geely group remains the largest Chinese automotive player in Europe by scale. Registrations reached 33,877 units in May, up 12.6% year-on-year. Europe’s new car registrations acoss different automakers in May and Jan-May 2026 Cumulative registrations for the first five months totaled 176,676 units, an increase of 6.8%. Growth was supported by multiple brands, including Geely Galaxy, Lynk & Co, and Zeekr, alongside overseas contributions from Volvo, Polestar, smart, and Lotus. SAIC Motor, BYD, and Chery also maintained strong momentum. SAIC registered 30,527 vehicles in Europe in May, up 13.9% year-on-year. Its five-month total reached 141,490 units, an increase of 11.6%. BYD recorded 32,380 registrations in May, surging 136.6% year-on-year. Its cumulative registrations for the first five months reached 135,307 units, up 145.2%. Chery Group, including Chery, Jaecoo, Jetour, and Omoda, registered 24,398 vehicles in May, a 322.3% increase from a year earlier. Cumulative registrations for the January-May period reached 94,456 units, up 338%. On the other hand, several established automakers faced mounting pressure in the region. Hyundai’s registrations fell 18.8% year-on-year in May, while Ford declined 28.3% and Nissan dropped 16%. These brands have historically relied more heavily on conventional combustion-engine vehicles and entry-level segments, which are increasingly being challenged by hybrid and battery-electric alternatives. Tesla, meanwhile, posted a temporary rebound in Europe. Registrations reached 28,610 units in May, up 108% year-on-year.