2024 (Q1-Q3): new car sales increased worldwide in all major global vehicle markets (except Japan) with growth strongest in Brazil and Mexico.
During the first nine months of 2024, worldwide car sales increased in major markets with the exception of Japan. China remained by far the largest single-country car market in the world with sales of 15.6 million vehicles — 14% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Car sales in Europe and the USA were flat with totals well below sales achieved in 2019. Brazil, Mexico, and India experienced stronger light vehicle sales in 2024. New passenger vehicle registrations in Japan contracted by 8%.
Latest Worldwide Car Sales: 2024: (Q1, Half Year, Q3); 2023: (Q1, Half Year, Q3, Full Year); 2022; 2021; 2020
Worldwide Car Sales in the Largest Country Markets in 2024 (Q1-Q3)
New passenger vehicle registrations in major global markets worldwide were as follows during the first nine months of 2024 according to the VDA:
| Region | Jan-Sep 2024 | Jan-Sep 2023 | % Change |
| Europe** | 9,779,400 | 9,684,900 | 1.0 |
| China | 15,558,200 | 17,942,000*** | 2.0 |
| USA* | 11,688,300 | 11,604,100 | 0.7 |
| Mexico* | 1,078,000 | 975,100 | 10.6 |
| Japan | 2,776,500 | 3,012,600 | -7.8 |
| India | 3,216,600 | 3,088,600 | 4.1 |
| Brazil* | 1,752,200 | 1,534,800 | 14.2 |
| *Light vehicles **(EU+EFTA+UK) ***Different base data set | |||
| Source: VDA |
Brazil — Fastest Growing Car Market in 2024 (Q3)
Brazil was the fastest-growing major new car market in the world during the first three quarters of 2024. Light vehicle sales, including passenger cars and light-duty vehicles, increased by 14% to 1,752,200 vehicles.
Mexico — Strong Car Sales in 2024 (Q1-Q3)
The Mexican car market also experienced strong growth during the first nine months of 2024. Light vehicle sales increased by 11% to 1,078,000 cars.
Japan — Weak Car Sales in 2024 (Q3)
Japan was the only major new car market globally with weaker car sales thus far in 2024. New passenger vehicle registrations declined by 8% to well below the psychologically important 3 million car mark.
India — Stronger Car Sales in October 2024 (Q3)
Car sales in India increased by 4.1% to 3,216,600 cars during the first nine months of 2024.
China — Largest New Car Market Globally in 2024 (Q1-Q3)
Although the Chinese new car market expanded by only 2% thus far in 2024, it remained by far the largest single-country automobile market globally with 15,558,200 sales. In contrast to the European and US new car markets, the Chinese new car market exceeded the pre-2019 levels with sales during the first three quarters of 2024, 14% higher than in 2019 (14,963,000) but lower than the 16,922,600 in 2018 Q1-Q3.
USA – Flat Car Sales in 2024 (Q3)
New light vehicle sales in the USA increased by only 0.7% during the first nine months of 2024. Sales increased to 11.7 million vehicles — around 8% weaker than the same period in 2019.
Europe – Flat Car Sales in 2024 (Q1-Q3)
The European new car market remained relatively stable during 2024 with sales thus far increasing by only 1% to 9.8 million passenger vehicles. The European car market remains nearly a fifth smaller than the pre-pandemic period.
In the largest European new car markets, sales were weaker in Germany (-1%) and France (-2%) while sales increased in Britain (4%), Italy (2%), and Spain (5%).
Latest Worldwide Car Sales: 2024: (Q1, Half Year, Q3); 2023: (Q1, Half Year, Q3, Full Year); 2022; 2021; 2020
