Last month, new car registrations increased by 63% in Europe compared with March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
According to JATO Dynamics data for 26 markets across the region, volume rose from 842,094 to 1,374,313 units bringing the Q1 tally to 3,045,703, an increase of 1%. Despite this increase, Q1 2021 recorded the lowest total volume of new car registrations for a first quarter since 1986, excluding the diastrous pandemic affected 2020.
Despite signs of recovery, the industry is still facing several challenges, including the economic fallout of the pandemic, ongoing lockdown restrictions, lack of consumer confidence and lack of computer chips.
Registrations fell by 22% last month when compared with March 2019, the lowest total volume of new cars registered since March 2013, when volume
totaled just 1,337,588 units.
Felipe Munoz, global analyst at JATO Dynamics, said: "The European car market is still a way off from reaching pre-pandemic volumes, and governments must take further action to help boost sales and restore consumer confidence."
EVs and SUVs continued to be the main drivers of growth for the market. EVs posted a record market share of 16% in March 2021, compared to 9.7% in March 2020, and just 3.4% in March 2019. Munoz added: "Consumers are reacting positively to more extensive and competitive EV offerings. However, as these vehicles are often more expensive than ICE models, the positive impact has not yet offset the big drops seen across traditional high-emissions fuel types."
The market share of SUVs also continued to grow year-on-year, from 37% in March 2019, to 40% in March 2020, and 45% in March 2021 with notable traction in Sweden, Norway, Slovenia and Hungary, where they gained more than 10 points of share between March 2020 and 2021. Munoz continued: "The success of EVs and SUVs is a good indicator consumer demand will soon be focused towards upcoming electric SUV models, which will be a key driver of growth for the industry."
In March 2021, diesel cars recorded their lowest market share to date at just 24%. With the European Commission continuing to introduce tougher CO2 regulations, the shift away from diesel and other high-emissions fuel types is likely to continue.
In the European model rankings, the Volkswagen Golf reclaimed its position as the most registered car in Europe with 26,265 units, up by 12% in March 2021. The electrified versions (PHEV and MHEV) contributed to this growth, especially in Germany, where they accounted for 36% of the model's volume. The Golf outsold the Q1 winner Peugeot 208 by 836 units with almost 61,000 units. The Opel/Vauxhall Corsa also performed well, comfortably outselling the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo which has just been given a mid life facelift. The Tesla Model 3 was fourth in the model rankings last month, and confirmed its position as the top selling BEV model in the European rankings in both March and Q1. The Model 3 also topped BEV rankings in the UK, France, Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia and Germany, ahead
of the Volkswagen ID.3. Another non-European model which posted strong results was the Hyundai Kona, as the second most registered BEV in March 2021.
Among the latest launches, Citroen registered 5,671 units of the C4, and the Opel Mokka took off with 5,560 units. Volkswagen registered 4,897 units and 4,817 units of the ID.3 and ID.4 respectively.
