European car sales decreased by 2% in november

The European automotive sector failed to demonstrate the expected recovery in November 2024. According to data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the number of new cars registered in the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) decreased by 2% compared to the same period last year, recording 1.06 million units.

Decline in the French and German Markets

One of the main reasons for the sales decline in November is the significant losses in the French and German markets. The economic stagnation in Germany and uncertainties in France have negatively impacted the automotive sector, leading to a decrease in sales.

Decline in Electric Vehicle Sales

Sales of fully electric vehicles (BEVs) have decreased by 9.5% across Europe, raising concerns in the sector. The drop, particularly in France and Germany, has created a negative atmosphere in the electric vehicle market, while hybrid vehicle sales saw an increase of 18%. Hybrid-electric vehicles surpassed gasoline vehicle sales in November, managing to increase their market share for the third consecutive month.

Brand Performances

When evaluated on a brand basis, Volkswagen and Renault showed positive growth with increases of 2.8% and 9.2%, respectively, while Stellantis was one of the brands experiencing the largest decline, with a drop in sales of 10.8%. Chinese manufacturers Tesla and SAIC Motor faced significant sales losses of 40.9% and 7.8%, respectively, due to the impact of new EU tariffs.

New EU Tariffs Took Effect

In November, the new tariffs imposed by the EU on Chinese-made vehicles negatively affected the sales of brands such as Tesla and SAIC Motor in Europe. The total market share of electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) rose to 55.8% in November, up from 51.8% during the same period last year.

The performance of the European automotive sector in December will be closely monitored due to the economic recovery process and the impact of year-end sales campaigns.