Car sales in Europe in January and February 2024 – Dacia Sandero is the leader

Car sales in Europe continue to grow. Poland stands with its trends among the largest markets, Volkswagen remains at the top of the list of products, Dacia Sandero – the leader in the list of the most popular models. And what about the best seller of 2023 – Tesla Model Y?

In the first two months of this year (the data for the whole of Europe has a significant deficit compared to the data for the local markets) 2,012,136 new passenger cars. This is 10.9 percent more than it was in the same period last year.

Spectacular falls and rises

In only seven countries, demand decreased compared to January-February 2023 (more than Iceland, by 48.7%). On the other hand, among the countries that recorded an increase, Bulgaria is in first place in this category (+58.1%). From our point of view, the most important thing is that there is no other major market where sales increased as much as in Poland (+20.7%).

Europeans are more likely to choose cars with petrol engines, then hybrid models, electric cars, diesel cars and plug-in hybrids. It is worth noting that only diesel cars were sold in smaller numbers than in January-February 2023 (-5.5%).

Among the models in first place, both in January and February, and of course after two months, is Dacia Sandero, which finished last year as number 2 in Europe. The VW Golf has risen significantly, by four places compared to the end of 2023, and is currently second (of course, after two months, it is impossible to draw far-reaching conclusions yet about the further development of the situation).

The best seller of 2023, the American mid-range electric crossover Tesla Model Y, is currently in a distant seventh place (although it is still recording better results than January and February last year).

SUVs and crossovers are still on the rise

SUVs and crossovers are still the most frequently purchased vehicle category, of which there are 27 models in the top 50 models (the first took 4th place – Toyota Yaris Cross). Also included is one example of the current Chinese brand MG (ZS; 47th), which sold 13,900 units (+142.4% year-on-year).

On the other hand best seller among high end cars there’s the Tesla Model Y (7th overall), but if one doesn’t consider Tesla to be this type of brand, next in line is the Audi A3 (21st; 20,722 units).

Below we present the most important sales data New passenger cars in the Old Continent are divided into: countries, brands and models.

Sales of new passenger cars in the 10 largest European markets (ACEA data; for the period January-February 2024)

Top 10 brands in Europe in terms of new passenger car sales (ACEA data; for the period January-February 2024)

Top 10 best selling passenger cars in Europe (Dane Data Force for ANE; for okres I-II 2024 r.)

1. Dacia Sandero (45 312 szt.)

2. Volkswagen Golf (37 577 szt.)

3. Peugeot 208 (34,052 units)