Top Selling Auto Brands Across Europe
In April 2025, the European automotive industry saw a slight dip in passenger car sales, with a 0.3% decrease to 1,077,186 units, according to data analyzed by industry experts. This slight decline follows a rise in March, marking a shift in the European car market.
From January to April 2025, the total number of passenger cars sold in Europe stood at 4,459,087 units, representing a 0.4% decrease compared to the same period last year.
The top-selling car manufacturer in Europe for April was the Volkswagen Group, with 121,954 units registered. Stellantis followed closely with strong sales of its brands such as Peugeot, Citroën, and Opel. Renault Group and Hyundai-Kia also performed well, with some of their models seeing notable increases.
The best-selling car model for the month was the Renault Clio, with 19,000 units registered. Other strong performers included the Volkswagen Tiguan, Toyota Yaris Cross, Dacia Duster, Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 3008, Jeep Avenger, and Mini Cooper. Notably, the Dacia Sandero remained the best-selling car overall for the first four months of the year.
The electric vehicle sector witnessed significant growth during this period. Volkswagen was the leading electric car brand, with the Skoda Elroq as the top-selling all-electric model for April. Interestingly, BYD outsold Tesla for the first time in Europe, with BYD sales surging 359% year-on-year, while Tesla volumes dropped by 49%. Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 saw notable declines in sales. Ford made a prominent entrance in the EV market with the Explorer EV, ranking 15th among all electric vehicles for the month.
Overall, the European car market remained stable across the first four months of 2025, with registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) up by 28% and 31%, respectively. This growth indicates a clear trend towards electrification in the European automotive industry. Competition among manufacturers, brands, and models appears to be fierce, with established players facing competition from emerging brands. The shifting market dynamics and increasing emphasis on electrification promise an interesting year ahead for the European automotive industry.
- The slight dip in passenger car sales in the European automotive industry in April 2025 was not limited to conventional cars, as the electric vehicle sector experienced significant growth during the same period.
- The finance sector has taken notice of the trends in the European automotive industry, as the shift towards electrification is clear, with registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) increasing by 28% and 31%, respectively.
- Apart from passenger cars, the transportation industry is also influenced by the lifestyle choices of Europeans, as the top-selling car model for April 2025 was the Renault Clio, while the electric car market witnessed a major shift, with BYD outselling Tesla for the first time.
