European car sales climbed for a third consecutive month in April, rising 7% year-on-year as strong demand for electric and hybrid vehicles continued to reshape the region’s auto market, Bloomberg reported.
European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association reported that new vehicle registrations reached 1.15 million units last month, supported by growth in major markets including Germany and the UK, where EV adoption surged sharply. EV deliveries jumped 38% across Europe, with Germany alone recording a 41% increase following new subsidy support.
The sustained momentum in EVs is offering relief to European automakers grappling with excess capacity, US tariffs and weakening demand in China. Both domestic manufacturers such as Volkswagen AG and Stellantis NV, alongside Chinese rivals led by BYD Company, have benefitted from growing demand for more affordable EV models.
Hybrid vehicles also posted gains in April, while petrol and diesel sales continued to decline, reinforcing a broader structural shift toward electrified mobility. However, higher-priced EV models remain a tougher sell, underscored by muted investor and consumer response to Ferrari’s new €550,000 electric supercar.
Tesla Inc extended its European rebound, with sales rising 47% in April following a difficult 2025, while traditional European premium brands including Mercedes-Benz and BMW also recorded higher deliveries.
Chinese automakers continued to expand their European footprint, with strong gains from brands such as Geely and BYD, while Chery Automobile surged 322%, driven by rising demand for its Jaecoo SUVs in the UK market.
Despite the strong momentum, industry observers caution that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and ongoing global trade frictions could still influence consumer sentiment and supply chains in the months ahead.
