Top European car sales 2023

author: FutureCar Staff    

New car registrations in Europe saw a significant increase of 20% in August compared to the previous year, driven by a growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), according to industry analyst Jato Dynamics. Out of the 900,000 cars sold across 28 European markets, around 22% (196,000) were battery-powered EVs, marking a 102% increase in EV registrations.

Despite the rise in EV registrations, petrol-powered cars still remain the most sought-after vehicles in Europe, accounting for 53% of total registrations. However, there were notable surges in EV demand in several countries. Belgium saw a 224% increase in EV registrations, followed by Greece with 183% and Luxembourg with 164%. Germany alone accounted for 44% of Europe's total EV registrations in August, experiencing a 171% growth.

Felipe Munoz, Jato's global analyst, emphasized that despite debates about a potential slowdown in EV growth, the data shows that demand for EVs remains strong. Munoz attributed this to the increasingly competitive pricing of EVs and continuous support from governments across Europe.

In terms of individual models, Tesla secured the top spot for registrations in August. The Tesla Model Y, with a year-on-year increase of 208%, sold 21,549 units, making it the highest-selling car in Europe so far this year, with a total of 169,420 units sold. Munoz predicts that the Model Y will likely become Europe's most popular new passenger car by the end of the year, which would be a significant milestone for a non-European model.

Additionally, the Tesla Model 3 experienced a substantial increase in sales, selling 11,943 units in August, marking a 307% year-on-year growth. Tesla's sales surge can be attributed to the company's decision to reduce prices for the Model Y and Model 3, with discounts introduced in the UK earlier this year.

Completing the top five best-selling cars in Europe for August were the Peugeot 208 (21,549), Volkswagen T-Roc (15,198), Fiat 500 (14,469), and Dacia Sandero (14,428). These rankings reflect the popularity of both EVs and traditional petrol-powered vehicles in the market.

Overall, Tesla's dominance in the EV market and the strong demand for electric vehicles in Europe indicate a promising future for the industry. As EV technology continues to evolve and prices become more competitive, it is expected that the popularity of electric vehicles will continue to grow.

Europe's top 10 best-selling cars so far in 2023:

1. Tesla Model Y - 169,420 sales, +216% year on year
2. (Remaining cars in the top 10 list can be added here)

With its impressive sales figures and consistent growth, the Tesla Model Y is poised to maintain its position as a top contender in the European market throughout the rest of the year.

FutureCar Staff