Europeans Also More Interested in Hybrids
April sales boost their EU market share to 29% as purely electric sales were flat.

Fully electric vehicles’ share of the EU market was flat year-over-year at 12% as hybrids have taken off. A similar pattern has developed in the U.S.
Pexels/Tetyana Kovyrina
Hybrid vehicle sales growth in April far exceeded that of all-electric models in Europe, continuing a trend on the continent that’s been mirrored in the U.S.
Hybrid registrations jumped 33% in the European Union, boosting their share of all vehicle sales from 25% to 29%, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA. France, Spain, Germany and Italy led hybrid sales with double-digit increases. Fully electric sales, though they grew far less, still had a healthy 15% bump.
Overall new-vehicle sales grew 14% to nearly 914,000 units, part of the increase due to this April having two additional selling days that last year’s, ACEA said. All major markets experienced increases.
Electric vehicles’ share of the market was flat year-over-year at about 12% as hybrids have taken off. A similar pattern has developed in the U.S. as early adoption has passed and mass-market consumers have been slow to follow in the big numbers manufacturers had bargained on. Automakers have consequently pulled back on previously ambitious all-electric lineup plans to refocus on hybrids.
In Europe, gas-powered model registrations rose 7% in April, though their market share fell by 2% year-over-year to 36%, ACEA said. Diesel model sales were flat, or about 13% of market share.
LEARN MORE: Ford Hybrid Sales Healthy
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

Nebraska Rooftop Changes Hands
The Gregg Young Automotive Group has sold its second dealership to Janssen Auto Group, both in Plattsmouth, Neb.
Read More →
Penske Auto Group Deal a Record
The deal to take the dealership and transportation services company private sets a new pace for industry buy-sell transactions.
Read More →
War Toll a Damper on Used Auto Prices
Cox Automotive found wholesale depreciation to be elevated in September amid high fuel prices and this year's unusual hurricane season.
Read More →
Bridge the Maintenance Gap
With many drivers missing recommended maintenance, service departments offering transparency and efficiency have a better chance of reaching financially strained consumers.
Read More →
California Store Has New Owner
The longtime dealership in the northern part of the state is known for robust fleet sales and has served the state capital for 115 years.
Read More →
BMW Plant Pursues Cleaner Energy
BMW Group Plant Leipzig has utilized hydrogen to help power its production since 2013, but a new pipeline is planned to take it to another level.
Read More →
Auto Affordability Inches Up
The latest Cox Automotive and Moody’s Analytics index shows a slight increase in new-vehicle affordability despite high prices.
Read More →
Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →