European auto market steps on the accelerator: Sustained growth in May, driven by electric and hybrid vehicles

The European car market is showing strong signs of resilience and profound transformation. According to the latest data published by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), new car sales recorded an increase of over 3% in May, a positive trend also visible in the first five months of the year.

Beyond the total volumes, the figures reflect an undeniable reality: Europeans are turning their backs on traditional gasoline and diesel engines, turning massively towards electrified alternatives.

May in numbers: Over 1.1 million new cars on the roads

In the last month of spring, Europeans purchased 1,152,523 new cars (registrations reported at the level of the European Union, EFTA states and Great Britain). This value represents an increase of 3.6% compared to the same period last year.

Looking back at the first five months, the advance is even more pronounced. In the January-May period, the total market volume reached 5,824,814 units, up 4.5% compared to the same period last year.

Engine X-ray: Green models dominate, severe decline for gasoline and diesel

Buyer preferences have changed radically. Classic internal combustion engines are losing ground at an accelerated pace, while classic hybrids (HEVs) and fully electric vehicles (BEVs) are becoming the new standard in public choices.

Sales situation in May, by technology:

Propulsion Type	Units Sold (May)	Change vs. Previous May	Ranking
Hybrid (HEV)	409,006	+8.2%	1st
Electric (BEV)	268,487	+39.1%	2nd
Petrol	250,097	-19.1%	3rd
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)	123,339	+13.2%	4th
Diesel	73,841	-19.0%	5th

The nearly 40% growth of the electric segment in May highlights the growing appetite for zero-emission mobility, while the simultaneous decline of around 19% recorded by gasoline and diesel shows that the energy transition is in full swing.

5-month review: The trend is also maintained at the aggregate level. From January to May, hybrid cars lead the ranking by a wide margin with over 2.1 million units (+11.1%), followed by gasoline (1.29 million units, but down 17%) and electric vehicles, which passed the 1.2 million unit mark (+31.2%).

Top manufacturers: VW Group leads, Stellantis resists, Dacia slows down slightly

Despite the market reconfiguration, the hierarchy of major auto concerns remains stable at the top, although most traditional manufacturers recorded slight corrections in May.

• Volkswagen Group maintains its position as the absolute leader in Europe. The German giant delivered 300,299 cars in May (-3%), but compensates for the first 5 months, where it accumulated 1,501,669 vehicles (+1%).
• Stellantis occupies the second step of the podium, with 164,958 units sold in May (-2.3%). However, for the first five months, the Franco-Italian-American consortium reports a solid performance: 905,444 vehicles sold (+5.3%).
• Renault Group closes the podium, registering 110,124 deliveries in May (-1%). The January-May period brought the French group a total of 535,295 cars, equivalent to a decrease of 5.4%.

What is the situation of the Dacia brand?

The Mioveni brand experienced a slight respite in sales. In May, Dacia sold 47,690 cars in Europe, down 3.3%. Analyzing the full 5-month period, the Romanian brand delivered 218,392 vehicles, which represents a contraction of 12.4% compared to the same period last year, amid the transition to new generations of models and the increasingly fierce competition in the affordable hybrid and electric segment.