New passenger vehicle (PKW) registrations in Germany in 2016 increased by 4.5% to 3,351,607 cars – the highest sales since 2009. Total new motorized vehicle sales in Germany in 2016 increased by 5.1% to 3,932,467 vehicles. Electric car sales in Germany decreased while petrol was the favorite fuel type. Private buyers made up just over a third of the German new car market.
New Vehicle Registrations in Germany in 2016
The total new vehicle market in Germany in 2016 expanded by 5.1% to 3,932,467 vehicles (Kraftfahrzeuge). New motorized vehicle registrations in Germany in 2016 were as follows according to the KBA:
Category | 2016 | % Change |
Motor Cycles | 182,066 | +14.9 |
Cars (PKW) | 3,351,607 | +4.5 |
Buses | 6,683 | +8.9 |
Trucks (Lorries / LKW) | 295,760 | +7.6 |
Tractor Units (Zugmaschinen) | 78,501 | -2.8 |
of which Semi-Trailer (Sattelzugmachine) | 36,967 | +1.2 |
Other motorized vehicles | 17,850 | +9.7 |
All Motorized Vehicles (Kraftfahrzeuge zusammen) | 3,932,467 | +5.1 |
Trailers | 294,369 | +5.1 |
New Passenger Vehicle Sales in Germany by Year
New car sales in Germany increased by 4.5% in 2016 to 3,352,607 new passenger vehicle (PKW) registrations in 2016. This was the third consecutive year with car sales in Germany higher than 3 million cars and the highest annual sales since 2009.
New car registrations in Germany per month from 2014 to 2016 were as follows according to the KBA:
New passenger vehicle (PKW) registrations in Germany by year were as follows since 2007:
Year | German Car Sales | % Change |
2016 | 3,351,607 | 4.5 |
2015 | 3,206,042 | 5.6 |
2014 | 3,036,773 | 2.9 |
2013 | 2,952,431 | -4.2 |
2012 | 3,082,504 | -2.2 |
2011 | 3,173,634 | 9 |
2010 | 2,916,260 | -23.4 |
2009 | 3,807,175 | 23.2 |
2008 | 3,090,040 | -1.8 |
2007 | 3,148,163 | -9.2 |
Source: KBA |
New Car Registrations in Germany in 2016
A few interesting statistics released by the KBA on German new passenger vehicle (PKW) registrations in 2016:
Petrol was the most popular fuel choice for new cars with a 52.1% market share vs. 45.9% for diesel.
Hybrid car sales in Germany in 2016 totaled 47,996 cars including 13,744 plug-in hybrids.
Only 11,410 electric cars were registered in Germany for the first time in 2016 compared to 12,363 in 2015. In France, nearly double that number of electric cars was sold in 2016.
CO2 emissions of new cars sold in Germany declined from 128.8 g/km in 2015 to 127.4 g/km in 2016.
Private buyers registered 35.0% of new cars in Germany in 2016.
The top three colors for new cars in Germany were grey (all shades including silver) at 28.1%, black (27.4%) and white (20.1%).
A quarter of the market was for compact cars (e.g. VW Golf) with a 25.2% market share. Small cars (e.g. VW Polo) made up 14.5% of the market, mid-size (e.g. VW Passat) 12.8% and SUV (e.g. VW Tiguan) 12.7%. SUV sales increased by 25.2% as the fastest expanding sector.
In total, 7,402,856 passenger cars changed registered owners in Germany in 2016.
See also:
- 2016 Germany: Best-Selling Car Manufacturers and Brands – VW remained the top-selling marque but lost market share in an expanding market.
- 2016 Germany: 30 Best-Selling Car Models – VW Golf still reign supreme despite 13% lower sales and the lowest sales volume since 2008.