BYD, Chery, Leapmotor accelerate gains in EU auto market amid EV transition

EU new car registrations rose 5.7% Y/Y in H1 2026, supported by strong June sales and continued demand for electrified vehicles despite persistent geopolitical headwinds, according to ACEA data.

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations climbed 34% Y/Y to 1.22M units during H1, lifting their share of the EU market to 20.7% from 15.6% a year earlier. Hybrid-electric vehicles remained the most popular powertrain, with registrations rising to 2.20M units and accounting for a 37.3% market share. Plug-in hybrid registrations increased to 577,735 units, raising their market share to 9.8% from 8.5%.

Region-wise, battery-electric vehicle registrations were driven by strong growth in France, Germany, and Denmark, while hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales also increased across major EU markets, led by Italy, Spain, and Germany.

Meanwhile, petrol car registrations fell 17.2% Y/Y in H1, with declines across all major EU markets, reducing petrol's market share to 22.2% from 28.4% a year earlier. Diesel registrations also dropped 16.5%, lowering their share to 7.5% from 9.4%, while the combined share of petrol and diesel vehicles fell to 29.7% from 37.8% in H1 2025.

Chinese automakers continued to gain ground in the EU market, with BYD (BYDDF) registrations surging 168.2% Y/Y to 130,743 units, Chery (CRAUY) jumping 268.7% to 84,987 units, and SAIC Motor (SAIC) rising 19.1% to 127,585 units, while Leapmotor (ZGJLY) posted a more than fivefold increase of 526.7% to 48,261 units. Tesla (TSLA) also strengthened its position, with registrations climbing 75.4% to 124,242 units.

Meanwhile, legacy automakers lost ground, with Ford (F) registrations falling 20.2% to 132,780 units, Suzuki (SZKMY) down 5.9% to 76,531 units, Nissan (NSANY) down 5.3% to 106,833 units, and Renault Group (RNSDF) declining 4.2% to 620,250 units.

Among Europe's largest automakers, Volkswagen Group (VLKAF) retained its market-leading position with a 26.5% share despite registrations rising 2.6% Y/Y to ~1.56M units.