Electrified cars drive Europe auto sales growth as Chinese brands gain ground

Electrified cars continued to drive Europe’s auto sales growth in June, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). Registrations, a proxy for sales, rose 13.1% to 1,407,332 vehicles, while demand for petrol and diesel cars fell sharply. ACEA reported that battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid registrations climbed 51%, 22.7% and 17.1% respectively, and together accounted for more than 80% of all new vehicles. Petrol and diesel registrations dropped 12.2% and 16.9% respectively. The data also showed Chinese brands expanding further across the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association, with BYD, Chery and Leapmotor selling between about three and six times more than a year earlier. SAIC and Geely rose more than 50% and 11% respectively. Renault, Stellantis and Volkswagen recorded registration growth between 3.6% and 7.3%.