The German consultancy specialized in automotive market analysis, DataForce, anticipates an 11% growth in new car sales in Europe in September, compared to the same month in 2025. Although the numbers are still preliminary, this progress will be explained, above all, by the increase in demand for plug-in hybrids from Chinese brands.
The study also confirms the return of the Tesla Model Y to the top of the sales chart for the best-selling models in the Old Continent, the slowdown in the growth rate of demand for 100% electric cars, and the growth of Chinese brands in the region (boosted by BYD and MG), which, as a whole, compared to September 2024, progressed by 149% (!), achieving a record share of 7.4%. In the same period, sales from European manufacturers increased by 9.7%, those from South Koreans by 2%, while Japanese sales remained stable, with no significant advances or declines!
In the cumulative total for 2025, and according to the same source, sales growth does not exceed 1.5%. In September, dissecting the numbers and focusing only on alternatives to those equipped with internal combustion engines, sales of electric cars increased by 22%, sales of plug-in hybrids by 63%, and sales of hybrids by 16%.
Chinese brands have started to propose more plug-in hybrids (PHEV), after the European Union (EU) imposed higher customs duties on “Made in China” electric vehicles, and therefore, during the same period, four Chinese models made it into the Top 10 of the best-selling PHEVs in the European market, with the BYD Seal U leading the chart! In fact, the world’s largest manufacturer of electrified vehicles was the one whose sales grew the most compared to September of last year, with an impressive increase of 444%, corresponding to 24,336 units, a number that allowed it to rise to 20th place in the ranking of the best-selling brands in Europe, just ahead of Fiat.
But one of your countrymen is even better ranked in the ranking: with roots in England, and under the ownership of SAIC since 2006, MG recorded a 77% increase, with 33,536 cars sold in September, securing the 15th position overall, ahead of companies like Volvo, Nissan, Citroën, or Cupra! Leapmotor (3,338 units, compared to 42 in 2024), Chery (1,690 compared to 0), and Jaecoo and Omoda, also from Chery (9,461 and 7,302, respectively), recorded even more significant growth, both in terms of units sold and percentage-wise.
Among European brands, in September, special mention goes to the commercial performance of Alfa Romeo (+74%, to 5,712 units), a result attributed to the success of the Junior; and to the progress of Cupra (+45%) and Citroën (+27%). The French manufacturer of the Stellantis consortium recorded delays in the production of the new generations of the C3 and C3 Aircross, but the problem seems to be resolved, anticipating, therefore, more growth in the coming months.
On the other hand, Land Rover (-25%), Tesla (-12%), and Suzuki (-10%) experienced the most significant declines. However, it should be noted that the Americans made a comeback to the top, after a 29% drop accumulated between January and August, compared to the first eight months of 2024 – the Model Y was the best-selling car in Europe in September, even with an 8.6% reduction in demand, still compared to the same month last year, with 25,938 units delivered to customers (in July, the SUV was only 60th in the rankings, and in August, it ranked 17th).
During the third quarter of the year, compared to the same period last year, Tesla’s profits decreased by $1.39 billion, equivalent to €1.95 billion, even with a 12% increase in revenue, and, above all, a record number of new car sales (497,099), due to the rush by U.S. customers for tax credits granted to support the purchase of electric cars.
Elon Musk, the “boss” of the manufacturer, promised improvements in Tesla’s numbers, but only after the start of production of 100% autonomous cars. The Full Self-Driving technology is already in the final phase of the development process, and if the action plan is followed, it will be installed in all the brand’s CyberCabs by the end of the year. Currently, the Model Y derivatives available in fleets in the U.S., for safety reasons, still have drivers.
The Renault Clio (-1.6%, 20,146 units), a model that has a new generation on the launch ramp, the sixth since 1990, and the Dacia Sandero (+3.2%, 19,200 units) completed the Top 3. In the following positions, three VWs: the T-Roc “Made in Autoeuropa,” in Palmela, a model that will also see a new generation very soon, the Golf, and the Tiguan. In the year-to-date, according to DataForce, Sandero is first (185,947 units), Clio is second (170,256), and T-Roc is third (160,730).
By manufacturers, the Renault Group was the consortium that recorded the largest increase in sales volumes (15%), with 113,594 units in September, due to the very positive contribution from Dacia. Stellantis progressed by 13%, benefiting from the growth of Citroën, Fiat, and Opel. Finally, Geely, owner of Volvo among others, also grew above the market average, unlike what happened with the VW Group, BMW, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Hyundai-Kia.
