2025 (August): the European new car market expanded by 5% with electric vehicle sales in Europe reaching over a fifth of the market.
New passenger vehicle registrations in Europe increased by 5% in August 2025 to 790,000 cars but sales volumes remained below 2023 levels. Battery electric vehicle sales grew 27% for a record 20.2% market share, while plug-in hybrids surged 59% to exceed 10% of the market. Chinese brands more than doubled sales, with MG and BYD leading strong gains that placed them ahead of several established marques. Volkswagen was again the best-selling carmaker in Europe, followed by Stellantis and Renault, while the VW T-Roc was again the top-selling car model. Volkswagen also led electric car brand sales, although the Tesla Model Y was again the best-selling electric car in Europe.
Latest European Car Market Statistics: 2025: January, February, March, (Q1), April, May, June (HY); 2024 (Full Year):Β Market,Β By Country, Electric, Brands,Β Top 50 Models,Β Top 20 Electric Models;Β 2025-2007.
European New Car Market in 2025 (August)
New passenger vehicle registrations in Europe (EU, EFTA, UK) increased by 5% to 790,177 cars in August 2025 compared to 752,847 cars sold in August 2024. The market remains well below the 900,000 cars sold in August 2023.
Accroding to JATO Dynamcis, the growth witnessed in the European new car market in August 2025 can be partly attributed to an uptick in registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), up 27% compared to August 2024. This resulted in a new record market share for the segment of 20.2%, up by 3.6 percentage points. So far in 2025, 1.54 million BEVs have been registered in Europe.
βThe data shows that there was strong demand for BEVs in August, however a 27% increase is less significant than it looks when you consider how widely they are being promoted across Europe,β said Felipe Munoz, Global Analyst at JATO Dynamics. βThe new record market share for BEVs achieved last month has been partly distorted by the fact that Italy β typically a less enthusiastic adopter of BEVs β is usually quiet during August,β Munoz continued.
The market share of SUVs increased to 57%, which makes the vaguely-defined category increasingly meaningless.
Best-Selling Car Brands in Europe in August 2025
The ten largest carmakers in Europe in August 2025 were:
In August 2025, the Volkswagen Group maintained its leading position in Europe with 217,320 cars registered, representing a 5% increase compared to August 2024. Stellantis followed in second with 106,412 cars, up 3%, while Renault Group secured third place with 74,762 cars, an 8% rise. Hyundai-Kia ranked fourth with 69,490 cars, increasing 4%.
The BMW Group was the fifth largest carmaker in Europe in August 2025 with 62,384 cars, recording a robust 14% growth and a 29% share for battery electric car sales. Toyota placed sixth at 59,006 cars, though slightly declining by 2%. Mercedes-Benz Cars registered 45,601 cars, down 1%, while Ford saw modest growth at 30,504 cars, up 5%. Geely Group faced a notable decline of 13% with 19,966 cars but remained the top carmaker with the largest share of BEV sales. In contrast, the SAIC Group closed the ranking with 15,988 cars, achieving the highest growth rate of 45%.
Strong Increase in Chinese Car Sales in Europe in August 2025
Chinese car brands continued increasing sales in Europe. More than 43,500 units were registered by Chinese car brands in August 2025 β a 121% year-on-year increase and more than the individual volumes recorded by several major European brands. Combined registrations of Chinese car brands last month were higher than those of Audi (41,300 units) and Renault (37,800 units). Although registrations by Chinese car brands comprise 40 different brands, the top five players (MG, BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor) account for 84% of the total.
By brand, MG registered more new cars than both Tesla and Fiat in August 2025. BYD was ahead of Suzuki and Jeep, and Jaecoo and Omoda outsold brands including Alfa Romeo and Mitsubishi. βEuropean consumers are responding positively to the growing, competitive line-up from Chinaβs car brands,β Munoz continued. βIt appears that these brands have successfully tackled the perception and awareness issues they have experienced.β
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) had an even more impressive month. 83,900 units were registered in August, with volumes increasing by 59% year on year and the powertrainβs market share rising to 10.6%. Facing higher tariffs on BEV imports to Europe, Chinese car brands are now boosting their presence in the PHEV segment. Registrations increased from just 779 units in August 2024 to 11,064 PHEVs in August 2025, with BYD now the eighth best-selling brand for PHEVs. The top ten PHEV ranking included three Chinese models: the BYD Seal U, the Jaecoo J7 and the MG HS.
Best-Selling Car Models in Europe in August 2025
The ten best-selling car models in Europe in August 2025 according to JATO were:
August 2025 saw a reshuffling among Europeβs best-selling car models, with Volkswagen taking three positions in the top ten. The Volkswagen T-Roc led the rankings for the second consecutive month. Despite the upheaval associated with a model change, the T-Roc was also the best-selling SUV model in Europe thus far in 2025.
The T-Roc narrowly outsold the ever-popular Dacia Sandero, which remained the top-selling car model in Europe during the first eight months of 2025. Toyotaβs Yaris Cross secured third place — a model sold exclusively as a hybrid.
Volkswagen also placed the Tiguan and Golf in the top ten. The Tiguanβs mix of petrol, mild hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options contributed to its strong performance, while the Golf, once Europeβs undisputed leader, relies more heavily on petrol and mild-hybrid engines.
Renaultβs Clio, combining a majority of traditional petrol with growing hybrid sales, remained a staple of the European market. Meanwhile, Hyundaiβs Tucson posted one of the strongest gains thanks to a wide offering across mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid technologies.
The presence of the Dacia Duster and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa highlights continuing demand for value-focused models, while Toyotaβs Yaris further reinforces the momentum of hybrid technology. Overall, the August rankings underline a European market in transitionβstill strong for conventional engines, but increasingly defined by hybrid and electrified choices. Battery-electric vehicles remain rare in the top-ten models.
Best-Selling Electric Car Brands in Europe in August 2025
The 25 best-selling electric car brands in Europe in August 2025 accoding to JATO were:
Volkswagen was the top-selling electric car brand in Europe in August 2025. Tesla remained the second largest BEV brand in Europe but sales were down 23% in a growing market. Of the top brands, only Volvo performed worse.
BMW and MEercedes increased electric car sales by only 7% while other top brands increased sales strongly. BYD and Ford more than doubled sales compared to a year ago.
Best-Selling Electric Car Models in Europe in August 2025
The 25 best-selling electric car models in Europe in August 2025 according to JATO were:
Despite a contraction in sales, the Tesla Model Y was again the best-selling battery-electric vehicle in Europe in August 2025. The Model 3 increased sales but below market average.
However, Volkswagen remained the top-selling electric car brand in Europe and by extension also the top electric carmaker. Three of the top-ten BEV cars were Volkswagens while a further two were from the Volkswagen Group (Skoda Elroq and Enyaq). Nine of the 25 top-selling electric car models in Europe in August 2025 were made by the Volkswagen Group.
Europe Car Sales Statistics
β Latest European Car Sales Statistics
- 2025 Market Analysis: January, February, March, April, May, June
- 2025 (HY): Car & BEV Sales by Country, Electric Car Brands & Models, Brands, Top 10 Models
- 2025 (Q1): Car Sales by Country, Best-Selling Brands, Electric Cars
- 2025 (Outlook) Europe: Car and Electric Car Sales Forecasts
- 2024 (Full Year): Market Analysis, Car Sales by Country, Electric Sales by Country, Best-Selling Brands, Top 50 Models, Top 20 Electric Models
- 2024: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
- Full-Year 2023: Car Sales by Country, Brands, Top 50 Models, Top 20 Electric Car Models
