The latest registrations figures and statements from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) have raised some concerns around falling sales. Last month, the EU new-car market recorded its worst year-on-year registrations drop since April 2022. Deliveries fell by 18.3% to around 644,000 units, marking the lowest August registration total in three years. In the first eight months of 2024, the market was up 1.4% compared to the same period last year, with 7.18 million units. However, this was down from a 3.9% year-to-date growth in July.

The EU’s biggest BEV market, Germany, dropped by 68.8% in August. The drop was largely caused by changes in August 2023, with BEV business subsidies ending at the start of September of that year. Consequently, consumers took advantage of these incentives, with the knock-on effect of a rise in registrations out of kilter with typical numbers. However, France, the next biggest market for the powertrain, dropped 33.1%.

Meanwhile, EU deliveries of new plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) declined 22.3%. This was fueled by a 56.9% fall in Belgium and a 35.3% fall in France.

Swiss authorities are likely to be resigned to not hitting their 50% market share targets for BEVs and plug-in hybrid target by 2025, mainly due to the introduction of the 4% tax on EVs introduced in January, as we have reported here previously.

Austrian elections are expected to take place by the end of September, with the hot topic of the banning of ICE cars high on the agenda.

UK car production fell by 8.4% in August, according to new figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). With August conventionally a low output month due to summer shutdowns, the decline was equivalent to just 3,781 fewer units as 41,271 new cars rolled off production lines.

Following £24 billion of UK automotive manufacturing investment announced last year, factories have been winding down production of key models and retooling for new – primarily electric – model production. BEV, plug-in hybrid and hybrid production for the month fell by 25.9%, leading to a decreased share of output of 29.6%.

Mobility Sweden's new registration statistics in August show red numbers for all vehicle types. Passenger car registrations are decreasing and the private market for electric cars continues to be weak. A total of 19,036 new passenger cars were registered in August, a decrease of just over 20% compared to the same month last year. The decrease can partly be explained by temporary supply disruptions for some brands.

In addition, the private market is still waiting for improved consumer confidence as the Riksbank's interest rate cuts have not yet strengthened households' purchasing power. Of this month's new registrations, 56% were rechargeable cars, with pure electric cars accounting for nearly 3%. In August, the number of electric cars decreased by 31% and they have declined by 21% so far this year.