Monthly registrations of new passenger cars in Europe in November 2024 declined by 1.7 percent year on year. According to data from JATO Dynamics, 1,054,043 units were registered across 28 European markets in November, taking the year-to-date volume of new vehicle registrations to 11,847,573 units, an increase of just 0.8 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.

In November, Europe’s ‘big five’ automakers – Volkswagen Group, Stellantis, Renault Group, BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Group – were responsible for 65 percent of total sales. Japan’s carmakers followed with a 13 percent market share, while Korean brands were responsible for 7.5 percent of total sales.

The United States came next, with Tesla and Ford accounting for 5.9 percent of total monthly registrations, while China’s carmakers held 6.7 percent market share last month. Growth in November came from Renault Group (+8.6 percent), Toyota (+9.8 percent) and Geely (+16 percent). By contrast, double-digit drops in registrations were posted by Stellantis, Hyundai-Kia, Ford, Tesla and Nissan; Germany’s Mercedes-Benz and BMW also posted losses last month.

November 2024 also saw significant changes from a brand perspective. Skoda occupied third position in the monthly rankings, thanks to strong sales of its Fabia, Enyaq and Kodiaq models. Volvo overtook Vauxhall/Opel, while both MG and Cupra surpassed Fiat, which recorded a 39 percent drop in registrations following the discontinuation of the gasoline-powered model of its Fiat 500.

Elsewhere, Porsche outsold Land Rover, BYD registered more units than Honda, Omoda moved ahead of Subaru, and Xpeng registered more vehicles than Jaguar or Lancia.

BEVs gain market share

While overall registrations trended downwards, demand for BEVs in Europe increased by 0.8 percent year on year. The market share of BEVs increased to 17.4 percent in November 2024, compared to 17.0 percent in November 2023. Growth was strongest in the UK (+58 percent), Netherlands (+44 percent), Norway (+30 percent) and Belgium (+17 percent), while demand fell by 25 percent and 22 percent in France and Germany respectively.

Electric models from Volkswagen Group accounted for 26 percent of monthly BEV registrations in Europe last month, with volumes up 16 percent. By contrast, Tesla posted a 28 percent drop in volumes as it continues to navigate delays associated with the updated model of its Model Y. It was the second largest seller of BEVs, followed by BMW Group and Stellantis, which occupied third and fourth place respectively.

Chinese automakers shine

The standout performances of the month came from China’s automakers, which combined registered more than 24,100 units of BEVs in November (including Volvo, Polestar and Lotus), just behind Tesla. China’s automakers increased market share in the BEV category, from 12.5 percent in November 2023 to 13.2 percent last month. Growth was driven by Leapmotor (+296 percent), BYD (+127 percent), Xpeng (+93 percent) and Geely (+33 percent).

The curious case of Dacia Sandero

Going from strength-to-strength, the Dacia Sandero ranked among the top ten in the monthly model rankings in November 2024. The Volkswagen Tiguan, Peugeot 208, Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen T-Roc recorded the highest year-on-year growth. The Dacia Sandero consolidated its position as the region’s most popular passenger car and widened the gap from the Volkswagen Golf, which is second in the year-to-date ranking. Other strong performers in November include the Renault Captur, Toyota C-HR, Skoda Fabia, Peugeut 3008, Skoda Kodiaq, Jeep Avenger, BMW Series 5, and Suzuki Swift, among others

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The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has released the retail sales data for January 2026, which saw the overall industry report a healthy 17.61 percent growth over January 2025.

Last month, a total of 2.72 million vehicles were sold, as compared to 2.31 million vehicles a year ago, and 2.02 million in December 2025. Barring construction equipment (-21.09 percent YoY), all segments posted a healthy growth.

Two-wheeler sales in the country grew by 20.82 percent YoY to 1.85 million units, which saw rural markets contributed 56 percent of this volume, while urban demand grew by 22.19 percent, indicating a recovery beyond festive periods. The passenger vehicle sales at 513,475 units, up 7.22 percent YoY was primarily driven by rural demand at 14.43 percent, as compared to 2.75 percent growth witnessed in the urban segment.

Commercial Vehicles segment grew 15.07 percent to 107,486 units, which saw Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) grow by 14.94 percent YoY and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) by 14.61 percent YoY, driven by replacement demand and infrastructure projects.

C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, said, “January’26 has delivered a strong, broad-based start to the calendar year, with overall vehicle retail at 27,22,558 units, registering 17.61 percent YoY. The growth was powered by continued post-GST momentum, healthy rural cashflows on the back of harvest and weddings and sustained demand visibility across mobility and freight.”

Growth to remain positive

The outlook for February 2026 remains positive, with 72.56 percent of dealers expecting continued growth. Market sentiment is supported by the recent Budget’s focus on infrastructure and agriculture, alongside stable interest rates.

For the February-April period, 79.70 percent of dealers anticipate growth. Two-wheeler demand is expected to be sustained by wedding season purchases and EV adoption, while commercial vehicle sales are predicted to benefit from financial year-end buying and infrastructure activity. Potential constraints include model-specific supply shortages and possible disruptions related to upcoming elections in select states.

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The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) held the 20th Styling & Design Conclave and the 18th Automotive Design Challenge (ADC) in Goa on the theme of ‘Collaborative Creativity: Building India’s Mobility Design Ecosystem’.

The event gathered designers, industry experts and academics to discuss vehicle aesthetics, form and consumer expectations. During the event, SIAM launched a white paper titled ‘Evolution of Automotive Design in India.’

The conclave focused on the necessity of building design capabilities through partnerships between the automotive industry and academic institutions.

The 18th edition of the ADC featured 53 students from various design colleges. Participants presented concepts focused on future mobility needs, providing a platform for entry-level designers to showcase innovation in vehicle styling.

Speakers across two sessions addressed the integration of aesthetics with functionality, material innovation and sustainability. Discussions highlighted the shift toward design-led differentiation in the Indian market.

Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “Meaningful mobility solutions emerge from the confluence of sustainability, desirability, and affordability. These three essential pillars that must work together to address local needs while aligning with evolving environmental priorities.”

G Sathiyaseelan, Chairman, SIAM Styling & Design Group and Design Director, Ashok Leyland, said, “Understanding user experience must go beyond acknowledging problem areas and be rooted in empathy and a solution-driven mindset, with a clear focus on enabling gender-sensitive transportation and strengthening last-mile connectivity to create truly inclusive mobility solutions.”

Andreas Kurbos, Founder & CEO, StudioKurbos, added, “As design continues to evolve globally, India’s story can achieve stronger resonance by drawing from its rich culture and legacy. With design tools becoming increasingly democratised, identity becomes a powerful differentiator, making it essential to deeply understand audiences and co-create distinctive user experiences, while strengthening design education to shape the future of design.”

Saurabh Singh, Co-Chairman, SIAM Styling & Design Group and Senior VP, Maruti Suzuki India, added, “Shaping India through thought-provoking and emotionally engaging dialogue is essential to spark deeper conversations and meaningful action, and the country must set its sights on a bolder, more ambitious vision for its automotive future.”

The sessions included contributions from design leads at Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Stellantis, Royal Enfield, Greaves Electric Mobility and Kiska. Topics included the use of bio-sourced polymers, digital modelling and the development of next-generation styling for electric vehicles.

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Kia Connect has named Olivier Pascal as President and Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 January 2026. He brings over 15 years of automotive industry expertise to the position, having most recently acted as General Manager of Connected Cars, where he led European initiatives for connected vehicle experiences and data development. His career includes leadership across engineering, sales, marketing and technology functions at various dealership, regional and global levels. In his new capacity, Pascal will oversee the company’s connectivity, digital, data and charging strategies, emphasising customer experience, innovation and sustainable growth throughout Europe.

This leadership transition sees Marc Hedrich and Pablo Martínez Masip departing from their positions as President & CEO and COO, respectively. During their tenure, they were instrumental in driving strategic and operational performance across European markets. Hedrich moves to the role of President for Kia France, while Martínez Masip continues as Vice President of Product and Marketing at Kia Europe.

Kia Connect is dedicated to enhancing the customer journey through a fully integrated digital ecosystem, which now supports nearly two million users. The platform combines connected car services, digital mobility solutions and charging infrastructure, aligning with Kia’s broader shift towards software-defined and electrified mobility. Central to this ecosystem is the Kia App, launched last May, which consolidates connectivity, charging and ownership services into one interface. The app provides features such as remote status checks, vehicle diagnostics and charging control, with regular over-the-air updates introducing continual improvements informed by user feedback.

A recent December update introduced a 3D visualisation feature for the EV9 model, allowing drivers to view an accurate digital representation of their own vehicle’s configuration, including exterior colour and wheel design. This addition aims to create a more intuitive and tangible connection between the driver and their car through the app. Following an evaluation period, Kia intends to extend this 3D visualisation to other electric vehicle models in 2026.

Pascal said, “Kia Connect’s mission is to make every driving and charging journey smarter, safer, more convenient and more personal. In 2026, we will deliver tangible value for our B2C and B2B customers and partners, higher-quality features, a truly personalised digital experience, scalable B2B services and a robust charging solution. By combining innovation, unique customer experiences, responsible data use and operational rigour, we will build sustainable growth and a platform that supports Kia brand differentiation and business success in Europe.”

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Caterham and Motul have solidified their ongoing collaboration with a new long-term agreement, blending Caterham’s focus on lightweight sports cars with Motul’s extensive expertise in advanced lubrication, honed over more than a century and a half. The alliance was celebrated publicly at Rétromobile 2026 in Paris, where a 2005 K-Series and a 2025 Super Seven 2000 were displayed on Motul’s stand. Under the renewed partnership, every new Caterham Seven produced at the company’s Dartford headquarters will leave the factory using Motul lubricants, spanning all models from the road-going 170 to each race car competing in the five Caterham Motorsport UK Championships.

Further deepening the relationship, Motul will take on the role of title sponsor for the Caterham Seven Championship UK in 2026, the brand’s premier national racing series. Known globally for its high-performance, motorsport-oriented fluid solutions, Motul brings decades of experience supporting automotive reliability and competitive success. Its technical innovation and research capabilities, proven through partnerships with major events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally, ensure that its products meet the most demanding requirements, making Motul a natural and strategic partner for Caterham’s engineering and racing ambitions.

Ali McColl, Global Head of Marketing, Caterham, said, “This partnership is a significant milestone for Caterham, aligning our brand with a world-renowned leader in lubricants and fluid technology, reinforcing our commitment to performance across both our road and race cars. Motul brings a depth of experience in performance and efficiency that few other partners can offer. This agreement also marks an exciting new chapter for Caterham Motorsport. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, we are proud to unveil the Motul Caterham Seven Championship UK as the new name for the pinnacle of Caterham racing in the UK.”

Andreea Culcea, Chief Brand & Communication Officer, Motul, said, “We are proud to renew our partnership with Caterham, a brand renowned for its exceptional sports car expertise. Since 2019, our collaboration has been driven by shared values of performance, craft and precision. At Motul, we are developing tailor-made solutions designed to unlock the full potential of our partners’ machines. Working alongside a manufacturer like Caterham, where hand-crafted, limited-production cars are born from deep engineering know-how and passion, reflects our vision of authentic partnerships.”

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