EU new car sales rose slightly in July (0.2%), driven by declines in France, Germany, and battery electric vehicle sales.
EU new car sales rose by a marginal 0.2% in July, mainly due to falls in France and Germany, and a significant drop in battery electric vehicle sales. Germany's battery electric car sales dropped by almost 37%. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) revealed that sales of battery electric and plug-in cars fell by 10.8% and 14.1% respectively, while hybrid electric car sales increased by 25.7%. The three largest carmakers in Europe, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and Renault, reported car registrations dropping in July by 2.2%, 5.2%, and 1.7% respectively. Tesla's sales decreased by 14.7%, whereas China's SAIC Motor experienced a growth of 24.2%. The European Commission reduced the proposed tariff on Tesla cars built in China to 9% and maintained plans for tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles up to 36.3%.