Data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed that in April, the number of registrations of new passenger cars in the European Union rose by 17.2% per year, to 803.188 units, after an increase by 28.8% per year in March. This was the ninth monthly increase in a row. Since the beginning of the year (through April), passenger car registrations have increased by 17.8% per annum, to 3.5 million units. However, sales were still down by 22.8% compared to the same period in 2019.
The data also showed that in April the number of registrations of new passenger cars in Spain increased by 8.2% per annum, while Italy reported an increase by 29.2% per annum. Meanwhile, in France, the passenger car registrations increased by 21.9% per annum, while Germany recorded an increase by 12.6% per annum.
ACEA said that in April the market share of battery electric cars rose to 11.8% from 9.1% in March. While hybrids now represent 24.8% of the EU new car market, petrol cars continue to dominate with the largest share at 38.2%.