With the 2030 emergency stop deadline for petrol and diesel vehicle sales approaches, Electric vehicle (EV) sales accelerate.

EV sales outnumbered those of diesel cars across Europe as registrations declined by a further 18% year-on-year, Jato Dynamics has reported.

The impact of a component shortage centred on semiconductors continues to play-out across the sector. However, this affects all vehicle types and yet EVs still grew their market share to 21%.

Cheap and cheerful

The affordable Dacia Sandero ended August as Europe’s top selling car,. However, overall sales across the 27 markets, analysed by the automotive intelligence provider Jato, show’s a decline to 713,714 units. While sales have increased since the height of the pandemic, the sales remain low historically.

Jato’s global analyst, Felipe Munoz, said: “The chip shortage has been a major setback for OEMs still grappling with the effects of the pandemic.

“Production issues and delays in the delivery of new cars have been damaging to sales. The lack of availability at dealerships is forcing many consumers to either look for used cars or simply delay their purchase.

“In usual circumstances, consumers may expect to wait lots of months for a new Ferrari, but they are now experiencing the same delay for regular models.”

European new car registrations by fuel type, Jato Dynamics, August 2021

Electrifying

The data shows that EVs are now Europe’s only drivers of growth, outselling their diesel counterparts by 10,100 units.

Electric versions of the Fiat 500, Peugeot 208, Hyundai Kona, Vauxhall Corsa and Kia Niro all performed well. Europe’s top selling EV during the month was the Volkswagen ID.3.

The 151,737 EVs registered last month marks a year-on-year increase of 61%. This takes total volume since January to 1.32 million units.

Munoz notes that “although deals and incentives have played a significant part in boosting demand, we have seen a fundamental shift in buying habits as more appealing models have entered the market and consumers have become aware of the benefits attached to EVs.”

 

Europe's top 10 best-selling new cars, August 2021 and year-to-date, Jato Dynamics

The numbers

Dacia’s affordable Sandero hatchback was the most registered car in Europe during August, despite the EV growth. It is now fourth in the year-to-date best sellers rankings.

The Sandero outsold Volkswagen’s Golf 8 – Europe best-seller year-to-date. The German hatchback suffered a year-on-year monthly decrease of 38%.

Jato also highlighted the sales success of the new, fully-electric Fiat 500. This emerged from August as the market’s sixth best seller – up 26% on last year.

The Hyundai Tucson also entered the top 10 for last month, with sales up 36%, while the BMW 3 Series topped the premium rankings.

Other strong performers include the much-anticipated Tesla Model Y. It entered the top 10 of the EV rankings despite only hitting the market in August. The Ford Mustang Mach E is also in the top ten, while the Volkswagen ID.3 occupies the 15th position in the general rankings.

Other notable movers include the Opel/Vauxhall registering 4,900 units of the new Mokka. Volkswagen’s ID.4 followed with 4,600 units. Citroen registered 4,600 units of the C4.