Europe February 2025: BEVs up 25.5%, Tesla off -43.4%, Citroen C3 up to record #2

The Citroen C3 breaks its European ranking record in February.

JATO Dynamics figures have the European market (EU+EFTA+UK) down -2.5% year-on-year in February to 966,271. ACEA data has it at 963,540 (-3.1%) and 1,959,580 year-to-date (-2.6%). Among the Top 5 markets, Spain (+11%) stands out with the only YoY gain, France -0.7% and the UK -1% are stable whereas Italy -6.2% and Germany -6.4% skid down. As for other countries, great performers include Iceland (+65%) off a very low year ago base, Norway (+34%), Lithuania (+25.7%) and Latvia (+14.8%). Hit hard are Estonia (-56.7%), Malta (-53.9%), Ireland (-15%), Slovakia (-19.4%) and Greece (-14.3%).

The Renault 5 helps push the carmaker’s sales up 18.6%

BEV sales surge 25.5% to 164,148 and 17% share vs. 13.2% a year ago. This is all the more impressive that traditional segment leader Testa collapses -44% this month. BEVs have really started to become mainstream over the continent. Meanwhile PHEVs edge up 0.8% to 72,639 and 7.5% share vs. 7.3% in February 2024, HEVs soar 18.3% to 340,264 and 35.2% share vs. 29% last year, petrol sinks -23.6% to 271,210 and 28.1% share vs. 35.8% and diesel flounders -28.3% to 84,751 and 8.8% share vs. 11.9. SUV sales continue to grow at +2.2% to 525,159 and 54.3% share vs. 51.8% a year ago.

The Dacia Sandero remains the favourite of European customers

In the OEM ranking, the VW Group advances 1% whereas Stellantis is in freefall at -16%. The Renault Group delivers the best performance in the Top 10 at +12%, distancing Hyundai-Kia (-6%) and the Toyota Group (-5%) both underperforming. The BMW Group (+6%), Ford Motor (+4%) and Nissan (+1%) also progress. Brand-wise, Volkswagen (+8.6%) benefits from surging sales of its BEV lineup and distances a struggling Toyota (-6.8%). Renault (+18.6%) is the performer of the month at #3, helped by the success of its recent launches: the Symbioz and R5. Dacia (+2.5%) and BMW (+1.7%) are the only gainers in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, Cupra (+35.3%) frankly outsells sister brand Seat (-22.3%) with BYD (+210.6%), MG (+31.2%) and Mini (+29.8%) also in excellent shape. Tesla falls -43.4% due in part to a boycott by consumers but also the changeover with the new Model Y (-55.5%).

A new generation lifts VW Tiguan registrations up 43%

Over in the models charts, the Dacia Sandero (+3.9%) secures its 8th win in the past 11 months, confirming it is the favourite of European car buyers. 68% of its total sales for the month are concentrated on three markets: France (30%), Italy (27%) and Spain (11%). Also, 51% of its volume goes to the LPG version. The Citroen C3 (+4.2%) takes advantage of the new generation and climbs up four spots on January to land in 2nd place, a ranking it now also holds year-to-date vs. #15 over the Full Year 2024. This is a new record ranking for the C3, eclipsing its previous best of #4 reached in February 2019 and February 2022. 41% were sold in France and 31% in Italy.  28% of its sales come from the BEV variant. The Renault Clio (+22.3%) jumps up 10 spots on January to #3, 48% of its sales generated in France. The Peugeot 208 (-10.5%) and VW Golf (-17.7%) suffer below, whereas the VW Tiguan (+43%), Dacia Duster (+13%), VW T-Roc (+9.4%) and Peugeot 2008 (+3.6%) all shine.

Volkswagen is the best-selling BEV brand in Europe this month, dethroning Tesla.

Looking at BEV sales exclusively, Volkswagen (+180%) spectacularly takes the lead with sales almost tripling year-on-year. The ID.4 is up 146.3%, the ID.3 up 112.7% and the new ID.7 up 1060.7%… Tesla (-43.4%) is relegated to 2nd place but still has the two best-selling BEV models in the Model Y (-55.5%) and Model 3 (-12.6%). BMW (+20%) takes the third place above Audi (+70%) and Renault (+96%), with the R5 ranking at #4 in the BEV models charts for the month. Other impressive gains are delivered by Kia (+56%), Skoda (+63%), Hyundai (+47%), Citroen (+190%), Mini (+804%) and BYD (+94%).

Previous month: Europe January 2025: Volkswagen up 16.4%, Tesla down -45.5%

One year ago: Europe February 2024: Market up 10.2% year-on-year

Full February 2025 Top 10 OEMs, Top 94 All brands, Top 515 All models, Top 25 BEV brands and Top 25 BEV models below.