Germany private sales April 2026: BMW X1 takes the lead

The BMW X1 is the most popular vehicle with German private buyers in April.

88,204 new cars four a private buyer in Germany in April, a 8.2% year-on-year improvement. The Private Sales Ratio (PSR) stands at 35.4% vs. 33.6% a year ago in April 2025. The year-to-date tally is up 3% to 316,821 and 33.4% PSR vs. 33.9% a year ago.

For the second month in a row we can share with you exclusive private sales brands data. Volkswagen (-5.9%) holds 12.5% of the market vs. 18.5% in overall sales due to a weak 24% PSR. It is the only brand in negative in the Top 6. Mercedes (+0.8%) overtakes Skoda to #2 with 36.5% PSR vs. 37.7% for the Czech brand. BMW (+14.8%), Hyundai (+32.5%) and Dacia (+15.2%) follow with Hyundai reaching 54.3% PSR and Dacia at 77.6%. Renault (+32.2%, 54.8% PSR), Fiat (-9.5% and 55.9% PSR) and Ford (-4.5% and 41.9% PSR) also command a higher PSR than average in the remainder of the Top 10.

In the models ranking, the BMW X1 (49% PSR) takes the lead whereas it ranked #6 last month. It distances the Fiat Ducato (55.9% PSR) and Skoda Elroq (55.4% PSR). The VW Golf (24% PSR) has to contend with the 4th place as it does YTD, and is followed by the VW T-Roc (31% PSR) and Hyundai Tucson (62.4% PSR). Distant leader last month, the Tesla Model Y (76% PSR) falls to 7th place but stays #1 year-to-date. The Dacia Sandero (80.3% PSR) climbs back into the Top 10 at #8 but only ranks #10 YTD whereas it was #4 over the Full Year 2025.

Previous month: Germany private sales March 2026: Tesla Model Y distant leader

One year ago: Germany private sales April 2025: Fiat Ducato repeats at #1, Skoda Elroq in Top 10

Full April 2026 Top 62 All brands and Top 345 All models below.