According to the latest data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), new vehicle registrations in the European Union reached 972,314 units in April 2026, up 5.1% year-on-year. Including the United Kingdom and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) markets, the overall European market reached 1,152,315 units, representing a 7% year-on-year increase. New car registrations in the European Union from May 2024 to April 2026 Cumulative registrations from January through April reached 4,674,187 units, up 4.8% year-on-year. Driven partly by Middle East tensions, European crude oil prices have risen by around 20% this year, further supporting the expansion of new-energy vehicle market share across the region. As of April, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 20.9% of the European market, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) reached 38%, remaining the most mainstream choice among European consumers. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for 10.1% of total registrations. By comparison, traditional internal combustion vehicles continued to lose share, with combined gasoline and diesel market share falling to 29.1%. New car registrations in Europe by power source for January-April 2026 Chinese automakers accelerated their European expansion during this latest growth cycle. According to Dataforce data, Chinese electric vehicle brands accounted for more than 15% of Europe’s EV market for the first time in April. Among the fastest-growing brands was Leapmotor. ACEA data showed Leapmotor registrations in Europe reached 8,745 units in April, surging 403.7% year-on-year. Cumulative European registrations during the first four months of the year reached 32,963 units, nearly six times higher than a year earlier. Geely remains the largest Chinese automotive group in Europe by scale, recording 36,405 European registrations in April, up 9.1% year-on-year. New car registrations by manufacturer in the EU, EFTA, and UK for Apr and Jan-Apr 2026 The performance was supported not only by growing exports from the Geely Galaxy lineup, but also by contributions from brands including Volvo Cars and Polestar. At the same time, SAIC Motor, BYD and Chery also maintained strong momentum. SAIC recorded 29,308 registrations in Europe during April, up 35.3% year-on-year. BYD registrations reached 27,008 units, surging 114.5%, while Chery registrations climbed to 24,398 units, more than tripling from a year earlier. Meanwhile, pressure on traditional European-market players has become increasingly visible. April registrations for Hyundai in Europe fell 10.4% year-on-year, while Ford declined 13.2% and Nissan dropped 9.8%. The affordable gasoline-powered vehicle segments that traditionally supported these brands are increasingly being eroded by new-energy vehicles. Notably, Tesla also showed signs of recovery compared with earlier this year, with registrations in Europe reaching 10,654 units in April, up 46.5% year-on-year.
+2 others
