Tesla is lagging behind German manufacturers in Europe.Image: topgear
After months of slump, the European car market is growing again. And German brands benefit the most. But despite the upswing, the industry remains under pressure. One manufacturer is particularly affected.
Oct 29, 2025, 4:11 p.mOct 29, 2025, 4:11 p.m
Markus Abrahamczyk / t-online
The European car market recorded a strong increase of ten percent in September. As the industry association Acea and the consulting firm EY report, German manufacturers in particular were able to gain market share.
Rare ray of hope for car manufacturers
The rising one Demand for alternative drives leads to movement: So lay Plug-in hybrids EU-wide by 65 percent and achieved a market share of 10.3 percent. Purely electric cars also recorded an increase of 20 percent and now have a market share of 18.9 percent. However, the most popular drive types are and remain hybrids without plugs with a market share of almost 35 percent.
Hybrid drives, quickly explained
In the mild hybrid, an electric motor supports the combustion engine. No electric driving possible. The full hybrid can drive for a few kilometers without emissions, then with a combustion engine. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) can cover longer distances without emissions. Its battery can also be charged from a socket.
Classic petrol and diesel vehicles, on the other hand, continue to lose importance. Their combined share fell to 37 percent.
German manufacturers are at the top
German car manufacturers in particular are benefiting from this development. Their new registrations rose by 4.4 percent in the first nine months, significantly faster than the overall market (0.9 percent). Their combined market share grew to 39.5 percent.
To the The winners include Volkswagen and BMW. However, other manufacturers such as Stellantis, Toyota and Tesla had to give up.
Tesla was hit particularly hard: the electric car manufacturer has recorded a 39 percent decline in new registrations so far this year.
Despite growth: the crisis remains
Despite the positive figures, the situation on the car market remains tense. Growth for the entire year so far is only 0.9 percent, still 19 percent below the pre-crisis level of 2019.
Industry expert Constantin M. Gall summarizes: “The new car market remains in crisis mode.” He continues to observe great reluctance to buy. “This is due to the difficult general conditions: weak economy, high new car prices, great political uncertainty.” The car market will remain in flux.