For the first time during 2024, car registrations in Europe are reporting a decline compared to twelve months earlier. In fact, in a month-on-month comparison, March ends with -2.8%, according to data provided by ACEA, which took as reference the 27 countries of the European Union, plus those of the EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Norway) and the United Kingdom, while the data for Malta are not available. In total, registrations amounted to 1,383,410 units.
The cumulative remains equally positive
In any case, despite the decline, the cumulative figure for the first quarter remains positive compared to the same period in 2023, with 3,395,049 license plates and a growth of 4.9% over 2023. Among the five major markets, in the third month of the year the only one to close on a positive note was the United Kingdom, with an excellent +10.4%, while France closed on a negative note (-1.5%), Italy (-3.7%), Spain (-4.7%) and Germany (-6.2%).
The critical issues encountered by the latter, in the midst of recession, are therefore confirmed. The reduced spending resources of the local population encourage you to manage your savings more carefully, also in the automotive sector. The ecological transition has also highlighted several difficulties, especially at Volkswagen.
While the group manages to get by, the leading brand’s zero-emission offerings leave a lot to be desired. In particular, the ID.3 experiment (also available in Italy) remains unfinished. Subject to a substantial early restyling, passed off by the manufacturer as a new generation given the numerous changes made, the gaps or presumed ones that have afflicted it since its debut remain.
On the Italian front, the disbursement of the 2024 car incentives continues to be late, which leads drivers interested in purchasing a new car to wait for the funds to be released. However, it is the whole situation of the Old Continent that shows ups and downs. If we talk, however, about individual power suppliesi, the market share of full electrics has reached 14.2%, again surpassing diesels (10.1%).
Hybrids and electrics account for over half of the total registered
In the EU+EFTA+UK area, hybrid powertrains rose by 4.9% and BEVs had a lesser impact on the total (-11%), while traditional hybrids continued their climb, increasing by 15.4% and a market share of 30.6%. Overall, 720,000 hybrid and electric cars were registered, corresponding to 52.1% globally, while BEVs and plug-ins reached 21.4%.
The report indicates that the number one conglomerate in the Old Continent remains VW Group with 23.4% of the total, compared to 323,773 units sold, down by 6.6%. Skoda, Cupra and Porsche did well in March, respectively characterized by growth of 1.9, 5.2 and 9.2 percentage points.
Stellantis in second place
It comes in second place Stellantis, with 16.5% market share and 228,740 license plates, down 8.7%with the only positive note represented by Jeep (+7.2%). Group Renault is third with 8.9% share and 123,603 units, up 2.7%. dragged by Dacia, with a +6.3%.
Followed by Hyundai Group (112,692 cars, 8.1% share), Toyota Group (7.4%, 102,400), BMW Group (7%, 96,061), Mercedes Benz (5.9%, 81,717) and Ford (3, 5%, 48,161). Mitsubishi is developing strongly and, after contemplating a farewell to the Old Continent, seems to have taken the right path, recording a +206.6%, with 11,586 cars. The low-cost and very pragmatic approach is bearing the desired results
