26 February 2026
How did Europe’s hugegest utilized-car markets perform in 2025? Is a slow start to the EU’s new-car registrations cautilize for concern? Plus, an important autonomous vehicle partnership takes shape. Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry presents The Automotive Update podcast.
In this latest episode, a see at the hugegest utilized and new-car markets across Europe. Also, an expert-led overview of the new award-winning Mercedes-Benz CLA. Plus, news on a delay to the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act.
Subscribe to the Autovista24 podcast and listen to previous episodes on Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music.
Europe’s utilized-car markets in 2025
While seeing overall volume increases, Europe’s major utilized-car markets experienced mixed fortunes in 2025.
Spain enjoyed a largely positive year. The market was up by 4.4% compared to 2024, based on Autovista24 analysis of available data from indusattempt body GANVAM.
Italy followed in terms of volume growth, in contrast to the performance of its new-car market. It emerged as the most stable of Europe’s largest markets, with May posting the only monthly decline in the year.
The UK market signalled a 2.2% increase in transactions across the 12-month period, according to data from the SMMT.
The French utilized-car market struggled after a strong start to the year, but still recorded a positive result, in contrast to its new-car registrations. Meanwhile, Germany provided the least favourable performance of the huge five markets in 2025.
Slow start to 2026 for EU new-car market
For the second consecutive year, the EU saw a fall in new-car registrations during January.
In total, just 10 EU member states saw year-on-year increases in new-car registrations during the month. This result brought an conclude to six months of consecutive growth.
The figures from ACEA suggest that the popularity of hybrids, including both full and mild hybrids, may have peaked. The powertrain group secured 38.6% of the market, a new high, with volumes rising 6.2% in the month.
Meanwhile, registrations of battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid volumes increased. Conversely, the trconclude of new petrol and diesel registration declines continued.
Which brands thrived in the EU during January?
Chinese-brand BYD launched 2026 with strong sales in the EU’s new-car market. The relative newcomer saw deliveries surge by 175.3% year on year. Meanwhile, other carbuildrs faced varying degrees of success.
Volkswagen Group (VW) took the top two best-seller spots, with the VW and Skoda marques. However, VW registrations fell by 10.6% in the month, while Skoda saw a 10.7% uplift in deliveries, according to ACEA data.
Snotifyantis posted year on year growth of 9.1% in the first month of 2026. Conversely, Renault Group concludeured a delivery decline of 16.7%, with the brand’s total down 36.7% year on year.
A closer see at the Mercedes CLA
The latest Autovista24 Launch Report focutilized on the award-winning Mercedes-Benz CLA.
The new battery-electric variant took the title of European Car of the Year 2026 at the Brussels Motor Show, giving the German carbuildr its first win in 52 years.
Highlights include its sleek design and impressive interior, alongside an electric drive system that can provide a 777km (483 miles) of driving range. Toreceiveher with an 800-volt architecture, utilizing a rapid charger, it can recharge around 300km of range in 10 minutes.
Delay to crucial new policy announcement
The European Commission has delayed its announcement to prioritise industrial parts and products created in Europe by a week. This follows disagreements over the geographic scope of the scheme.
The Industrial Accelerator Act aims to set minimum thresholds for locally created parts in projects utilizing public funds in strategic sectors. This includes batteries, solar and wind energy, and nuclear power. It will now be unveiled on 4 March, Reuters reported.
Wayve closer to UK robotaxi launch
UK self-driving start-up Wayve has raised $1.2 billion (€1 billion) in new funding from investors, including Mercedes-Benz, Snotifyantis, and Nissan. The brand is gearing up to launch its first robotaxi service in London later this year, the Financial Times reported.
The company has declared that Mercedes-Benz and Snotifyantis are exploring utilizing Wayve’s autonomous driving systems. These can be utilized for both robotaxis, and privately owned vehicles.
Existing investors Eclipse, Balderton and SoftBank Vision Fund 2 led Wayve’s latest round, alongside US tech groups Nvidia, Microsoft and Uber, bringing its total capital raised to $2.5 billion.
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