Europe Auto Sales Rise 7% to 1.15 Million in April as Chinese Brands and Tesla Gain
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 27
Europe Auto Sales Rise 7% to 1.15 Million in April as Chinese Brands and Tesla Gain
9 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 27
1,152,315 vehicles were registered across the EU, Britain and EFTA in April, up 7% from a year earlier and leaving the market 4.8% higher for January through April.
Electrified models drove the increase: battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid registrations rose about 21% and accounted for more than two-thirds of sales, while petrol and diesel fell about 15% and 17%.
Chinese brands kept taking share as BYD registrations jumped 114.5% to 27,008 and Chery surged about 322%; Tesla also extended its rebound, rising 46.5% to 10,654 for a third straight monthly gain.
Policy support, subsidies and higher fuel costs are accelerating the shift, with battery-electric registrations in the first four months up about 73% in Italy, 48% in France and 41% in Germany.
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European Car Market 2026: EV Growth, Chinese Disruption, and the Battle for Battery Supply Chains
Overview
In the first four months of 2026, the European Union's new-vehicle market continued to grow, with registrations reaching nearly 3.8 million units. This steady expansion is driven by a strong shift toward electrified powertrains, supported by state subsidies in major EU economies. The market is also experiencing intensified competition, especially from Chinese manufacturers, which is accelerating the adoption of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). As a result, BEV registrations surged in key markets, with Italy, France, and Germany all reporting significant increases. These trends highlight how policy support and global competition are reshaping the European auto industry.