New car sales in the EU rise by 4.5%.

New car sales in the European Union (EU) increased by 4.5% in August compared with the same month last year, reaching 708,211 units .

According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) , hybrid cars accounted for 33.2% of new car sales in the EU in August, followed by electric vehicles at 27.7%, petrol cars at 18.9%, plug-in hybrids at 11.1%, and diesel vehicles at 6.4%.

The strongest growth was recorded in the electric vehicle segment. Electric vehicle sales increased by 62.7% year-on-year in August, reaching 196,486 units . Combined, electric vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids accounted for 72% of total new car sales in the EU.

Growth was also recorded in the EU’s major automotive markets. In August, sales increased by 2.6% in Germany, 3.2% in Italy, 7.4% in France and 11.8% in Spain.

Between January and August, new car sales in the EU increased by 5.3% year-on-year, reaching 7,546,397 units .

In August, Volkswagen Group was the largest seller of new cars in the EU, with 183,617 vehicles sold. Stellantis Group ranked second with 99,145 sales, while Renault Group took third place with 66,456 vehicles sold.