Il European car market continues to move in positive territory, even if the pace is no longer the same as at the beginning of the year. In May 2026, between the European Union, EFTA countries and the United Kingdom, the Enrollment page reached 1.152.523 cars, in growth of 3,6% compared to the same month in 2025. In the European Union alone, the increase was 3,2%, to 955.013 units. The overall picture remains favorable despite the climate still burdened by tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty over US tariffs. From January, the European Union market marks a 4% progress, with over 4,7 million vehicles registered. Looking at Western Europe, which also includes EFTA and the United Kingdom, growth rises to 4,5%, with over 5,8 million cars.
Among the major markets, Italy confirms itself as the most brilliant, with a monthly increase of 7,5-7,6%. France is in line with the European average, at +3,7%, while Germany remains virtually unchanged, with an increase of 0,1%. Spain, after the surge of previous months, is down 0,8%.
Electric and hybrid cars are pushing, while petrol and diesel are falling behind.
The transformation of the market once again passes through food. pure electric cars accelerate with force: in the European Union alone grow by 42,9% and reach a market share of 20%, although still with limited volumes, around 203 thousand units. Considering the entire European area, the increase of electric vehicles is 39,1%. Also supporting the market are the plug-in hybrids, up 12,2% in the European Union and 13,2% in the European region as a whole. Non-plug-in hybrids also performed well, remaining the most popular choice with a 37,8% market share and growing by 8,2-9,7%, depending on the scope of the market.
The flip side of the coin is the collapse of traditional enginesGasoline cars are losing around 19-20%, while diesel cars are down 19%. Demand is now shifting towards electric and hybrid vehicles, while traditional fuel types continue to lose ground.
China is running, the major Europeans are slowing down
Behind the positive market data lies an increasingly selective competitive geography. Chinese builders move forward at a steady pace and are gaining market share in the Old Continent. BYD jumps 158,8%, with 26.017 registrations, bringing its share to 2,7%. Chery grows up the 239,6% Leap motor the 447,3% Geely by 9,9% e Saic by 15,2%. Also Tesla returns to racing, with an increase of 152,4%, to 21.767 units, and a market share of 2,3%.
The large traditional groups, on the other hand, show more difficulty. Volkswagen remains leader in Europe with 254.011 registrations, but dropped 3,6% and saw its market share fall to 26,6%. Within the group only Audi is growing, up 3,4%, while Volkswagen, Škoda, Cupra, Seat and Porsche fell. Renault May closed with 100.507 registrations and a 1,3% drop, with declines for both the Renault and Dacia brands. bmw, including Mini, grows by 3,7% and brings its share to 6,9%, while Mercedes-Benz advances by 0,7%, with a share at 5%.
Stellantis slows down and the stock market is unforgiving: shares fall on the Milan Stock Exchange.
And Stellantis? The May data opens a crack in the so far positive picture for 2026 for the Italian-French group. In the European Union, the group recorded a 2,6% decrease and sees the share drops to 15,3%. In the perimeter extended to EFTA and the United Kingdom, the number of registrations stops at 146.381 units, with a decrease of 2,3%. The share indicated by analysts for May 2026 is 14,3%, against 15,2% for the same month in 2025. The breakdown of the brands returns a two-speed progression. Peugeot remains the largest weight in the group, with 50.277 units, but falls by 12,6%. Opel / Vauxhall instead rises by 6,3%, to 36.291 license plates, while Citroën limits the decline to 1,6%, to 31.665 units. Fiat yes confirms the brightest note, with a jump of 20,6% to 29.740 cars. The balance is more severe for Jeep, down 11,1%, Alfa Romeo the 23,9% Ds by 31,4% e Lancia 0,9%.
The first five months are still positive. Peugeot is down 7%, but Opel/Vauxhall is up 15,1%, Citroën is up 11,7%, and Fiat is up 27,6%. Jeep is down 3,4%, Alfa Romeo is down 21%, and DS is up 21,6%, while Lancia is up 7%. In the cumulative January-May sales, Stellantis maintains second place, with a share of 15,5%, behind Volkswagen and ahead of Renault.
La Bag, however, looks above all at the misstep of May. The stock slips at Piazza Affari down by more than 4%, in a session already weighed down by the sell-off in tech.
