The Latest Car Sales Statistics

With years of experience in the automotive sector, we’ve developed a sharp understanding of how cars are bought and sold. In this guide, we take a closer look at the UK and global car markets, exploring the latest trends and standout statistics, and what they mean for both new and used vehicle sales.

 

Key Car Sales Statistics and Global Overview

 

UK

 

Major Global Car Markets 

The global car market in 2024 and 2025 remains heavily concentrated, with China, the United States, India and Japan together accounting for well over half of worldwide vehicle sales, although most 2025 figures are based on year-to-date data and industry forecasts rather than finalised totals, meaning end-of-year results may vary slightly as official registration data is published.

• China:
  China remains the world’s largest car market. In 2024, 31.4 million new vehicles were sold, accounting for around one-third of global sales. In 2025, China has again led the world, with registrations tracking at around 34 million+ vehicles, reinforcing its position as the dominant single-country automotive market.

• United States:
  The US was the second-largest market in 2024 with around 15.9 million light-duty vehicle sales. In 2025, it has maintained second place globally, accounting for roughly 18–19% of worldwide new car sales year-to-date.

• India:
  India confirmed its position as the third-largest global car market in 2024 with 4.27 million passenger-vehicle sales. In 2025, it continues to rank among the top three markets globally, representing around 5% of worldwide new vehicle sales.

• Japan:
  Japan remained one of the world’s major automotive markets in 2024, and 2025 sales are expected to stay broadly in line with recent levels, keeping it among the top five global markets.

• Europe (EU + UK + EFTA):
  In 2024, Europe recorded 12.96 million new registrations, up 0.9% year-on-year, with BEVs holding a 15.4% market share.
  In 2025, combined European registrations have already passed 12 million units year-to-date, with electric and hybrid vehicles continuing to increase their share of the market. In several major countries, BEVs now account for more than one in five new registrations.

• Electric vehicle momentum:
  In 2024, EVs made up over 20% of global new car sales. In 2025, electric vehicle volumes are rising further, with many major markets reporting record BEV market shares and continued strong growth in plug-in and hybrid models.

News 

EV Sales Surge in Europe (December 2025) 

Fully electric vehicles surpassed petrol car sales for the first time in the European Union in December 2025, with electrified vehicles making up the majority of registrations. In the UK BEVs accounted for 1/3 of new car sales in December. 

Semiconductor Shortages Threaten European Car Production (October 2025)

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has warned that a critical shortage of semiconductors could once again disrupt car production across Europe. A supply issue at major chipmaker Nexperia has left manufacturers facing potential delays or shutdowns if component stocks run out before the end of the year. With modern vehicles relying on hundreds of microchips, a prolonged shortage could slow output, extend delivery times, and add further pressure to new-car prices across the region.

 

Jaguar Land Rover Cyber-Attack Halts UK Production (October 2025)

A large-scale cyber-attack on Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) forced multiple UK production lines to shut down, with analysts estimating a £1.9 billion impact on the economy. The incident disrupted supply chains and halted operations at several factories, highlighting the vulnerability of the automotive sector to digital threats. The temporary shutdown reduced the number of new vehicles reaching dealerships and contributed to short-term supply constraints in the UK market.

 

UK Automotive Manufacturing Under Pressure (Mid-2025)

UK vehicle production has fallen by almost 12 percent year-on-year, as manufacturers contend with high energy costs, parts shortages, and shifting export conditions. The slowdown has affected both conventional and electric-vehicle output, prompting concerns about supply levels through the rest of 2025. Industry analysts expect a gradual recovery later in the year as new EV models reach production and supply bottlenecks begin to ease.

The Impact of Trump's Tariffs on Car Sales

In late 2025, US President Donald Trump introduced a 25% tariff on all cars imported into the United States. This sits alongside the wider “reciprocal” trade tariffs announced earlier in the year, which apply to a broad range of goods entering the US.

For American car buyers, the immediate risk is higher prices on imported vehicles as manufacturers and dealerships pass on the extra costs. Nearly half of the 16 million cars purchased in the US in 2024 were imports, meaning a large proportion of the market is exposed to these changes.

The policy has since been partially softened. Carmakers that operate factories inside the US can reduce their tariff burden on imported parts, although components sourced from China remain fully subject to the new charges. Manufacturers are also able to claim credits worth up to 15% of the value of vehicles assembled in the US, encouraging domestic production.

For the UK, the US remains a crucial export destination. Around 100,000 cars were shipped to the US in 2024, accounting for 16.9% of all UK car exports and making America the UK’s second-largest overseas market after the EU. Any sustained increase in tariffs has the potential to affect UK manufacturing volumes, pricing, and export competitiveness.

Impact of the UK-US Trade Deal on the Car Industry

The UK–US trade agreement provides some protection against these pressures. Under the deal, the UK can export up to 100,000 vehicles per year to the US at a reduced tariff rate of 10%, broadly matching the volume exported in 2024.

This agreement offers short-term stability for UK carmakers supplying the US market, but longer-term sales will still depend on how US trade policy evolves through 2026 and beyond.

UK car exports to the United States in 2025 have been strongly influenced by tariff changes. Data through mid-2025 show exports running close to the 100,000-vehicle quota covered by the reduced tariff deal, with numbers broadly similar to 2024 levels, though final annual totals have not yet been published.

How Many Cars are sold in the UK? 

In 2025, total car sales in the UK are projected to reach around 9.7 million vehicles, made up of just over 2.0 million new car registrations and around 7.6–7.7 million used-car transactions (based on year-to-date performance and industry forecasts).

In 2024, total UK car sales reached 9.60 million vehicles, made up of 7,643,180 used cars and 1,952,778 new cars.

In 2023, total UK car sales stood at 9.15 million vehicles, made up of 7,242,692 used cars and 1,903,054 new cars.

Want to know how much your road tax will be? Check out our guide to the latest VED car tax rates. 

Are UK Car Sales Falling? 

Used Car Sales Overview - UK

The UK used-car market has continued its recovery through 2025, extending the longest growth run since before the pandemic.

• In Q3 2025, there were 2,021,265 used-car transactions, up 2.8% year-on-year, making it the strongest third quarter since 2021.
• In Q2 2025, which recorded 1,996,116 transactions, a 1.7% YoY increase and the tenth consecutive quarter of growth.
• In 2024, the market reached 7,643,180 transactions, up 5.5% on 2023 and the highest annual total on record, with more than 7.6 million cars changing hands.

Demand for electric cars for sale has exploded.

• In 2024, used EV sales rose 57.4% to 188,382 units, giving them a 2.5% market share, up from 1.6% in 2023.

For context:

• 2023: 7,242,692 transactions (+5.1%)

• 2022: 6,890,777 transactions (-8.5%)

• 2020: Sales fell 15% to around 6.7 million

• Colour trends remain unchanged, with black, grey and blue continuing to dominate the used-car market in both 2023 and 2024.

UK Used Car Market Trends

The UK’s used-car market continues to outperform the new-car market in volume and remains a key driver of overall automotive activity. Demand has been supported by improving vehicle supply, easing price pressures, and growing confidence in second-hand electric cars.

Vehicle depreciation remains a major factor, with a typical new car losing around 40% of its value in its first year, making the used market increasingly attractive to cost-conscious buyers.

Electric vehicles are becoming more established in the second-hand sector. Used EV transactions reached 188,382 units in 2024, giving them a 2.5% share of the market, and growth has continued into 2025 as pricing improves and model availability expands.

Used Car Sales Statistics UK

The used car market continues to be a vital part of the UK automotive industry, consistently outperforming new car sales in volume. 

 

UK Used Car Market Year-on-Year Sales

After several challenging years during and after the pandemic, the used car sector has now seen ten consecutive quarters of growth. In 2024, over 7.64 million used cars changed hands, a 5.5% increase on 2023. 

Year	Number of used cars sold
2024	7,643,180
2023	7,242,692
2022	6,890,777
2021	7,530,956
2020	6,752,959
2019	7,935,105
2018	7,945,040
2017	8,113,020
2016	8,200,000

Used Car Sales by Quarter

• Q1 2025: ~1.97 million transactions

   

  Q2 2025: 1,996,116 transactions (+1.7% YoY)

• Q3 2025: 2,021,265 transactions (+2.8% YoY)

• Q1 2024: 1.968 million transactions (+6.5% YoY)

• Q2 2024: Market up 7.2% YoY; used EVs reached a record 2.4% share

• Q3 2024: 1,965,811 transactions; South East led with 285,020 sales

• Q4 2024: 1,746,051 transactions (+4.0% YoY); Wales recorded the lowest volume at 91,759

 

Most Popular Used Cars UK

In 2024 the Ford Fiesta remained the UK's most popular used car, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf. 

Make and Model	Number Sold
Ford Fiesta	306,207
Vauxhall Corsa	252,761
Volkswagen Golf	231,440
Ford Focus	228, 220
MINI	160,516
Vauxhall Astra	159,495
BMW 3 Series	158,674
Volkswagen Polo	151,786
Nissan Qashqai	138,810
BMW 1 Series	125,440

 

UK Used Car Sales by Model 2023

Detailed sales volumes by model weren’t published for 2023, but the rankings show that superminis and hatchbacks continued to dominate, reflecting strong demand for compact, economical cars.

Top 10 Most Popular Used Cars in 2023:

1. Ford Fiesta

2. Vauxhall Corsa

3. Volkswagen Golf

4. Ford Focus

5. MINI

6. Vauxhall Astra

7. BMW 3 Series

8. Volkswagen Polo

9. Audi A3

10. Nissan Qashqai

 

UK Used Car Sales by Model 2022

In 2022, used car sales began their recovery following two years of supply shortages. The Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf again led the charts, with over 288,000 Fiestas changing hands.

Make and Model	Number Sold
Ford Fiesta	288,639
Vauxhall Corsa	229,454
Volkswagen Golf	216,227
Ford Focus	213,821
Vauxhall Astra	165,011
MINI	158,710
BMW 3 Series	155,264
Volkswagen Polo	137,517
Audi A3	114,801
BMW 1 Series	112,312

New Car Sales Overview - UK 

2025 Car Sales (new) 

In the UK, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for roughly 23.4 % of all new car registrations in 2025. This was below the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target of 28 % set for the year, meaning manufacturers fell short of the target they were expected to meet.

December 2025 Highlights

• 146,249 new cars were registered in December 2025, up about 3.9% compared with December 2024. This marked a stronger finish to the year following some earlier market uncertainty. 

• Battery-electric vehicles BEVs captured a 32.2% market share in December, exceeding the UK government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target for the first time in 2025.

• Private demand rebounded, with registrations to private buyers rising about 16.0% during the month, while business registrations also grew.

• Fleet registrations provided stability, with business and fleet segments contributing to the overall monthly improvement despite mixed performance earlier in the year.

• December results showed resilience, overall annual demand had been influenced by economic headwinds and ongoing concerns over future taxation and regulation - pressures expected to carry into 2026 even as EV adoption strengthens.

November 2025 Highlights

• 151,154 new cars were registered in November 2025.

• Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to perform strongly, maintaining a high market share despite wider economic uncertainty.

• Private demand remained subdued, with consumer confidence affected by rising borrowing costs and concerns around upcoming 2026 tax changes.

• Fleet registrations provided most of the stability in the market, as businesses continued scheduled renewals and EV adoption plans.

• Industry analysts warned that the upcoming Budget and changes to vehicle taxation could weigh on demand into early 2026, even as underlying appetite for EVs and hybrids remains strong.

 

October 2025 Highlights

• New car registrations rose to 144,948 units, representing a 0.5% increase year-on-year. 

• Fully electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 25.4% of new car registrations, supported by a 23.6% year-on-year increase.

• Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) also grew: PHEVs rose by 27.2% and captured 12.1% of the market, while HEVs rose 2.1% and reached a 13.3% share. 

• The combined electrified-vehicle (BEV + PHEV + HEV) segment exceeded 50% of all new car registrations for the second consecutive month. 

• The industry now expects total new-car registrations in the UK for 2025 to surpass 2 million units (≈ 2.012 million), with an expected BEV share of about 23.3% by year-end.

September 2025 Highlights 

• 312,891 new cars registered, up 13.7% YoY – the strongest September since 2020.

• Petrol cars made up 45.2% of registrations.

• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 23.3%, or 72,779 units.

• Private sales rose 8.9% YoY, while business sales increased sharply by 28.6%.

August 2025 Highlights 

• 82,908 new registrations, down 2% YoY.

• Petrol cars represented 45.1% (37,373 units).

• BEV share reached 26.5% with 21,969 units sold.

• Hybrid vehicles fell nearly 14% YoY, accounting for 11.4% of sales.

• Private sales held steady (+0.7%), fleet sales fell 4.6%, while business sales jumped 41.6%. 

July 2025 Highlights 

• 140,154 new cars registered, down 5% YoY.

• Petrol cars made up 47.3% of sales.

• BEVs accounted for just over 20%, and hybrids for 13%.

• Private sales dropped 3%, fleet sales down 6.5%, but business sales rose 10%.

June 2025 Highlights

• Registrations up 6.7% YoY – the best June since 2019.

• H1 2025 sales rose 3.5% compared with H1 2024.

• Petrol and diesel together made up just over 50% of sales.

• Electrified vehicles (BEV + HEV + PHEV) accounted for 48.5% of the market (92,571 units).

• BEVs alone made up 24.8%, with a 21.6% share YTD, still short of the 28% ZEV mandate target.

May 2025 Highlights

• 150,070 registrations, up 1.6% YoY – the best May since 2021.

• Still 18.3% below May 2019 (pre-pandemic).

• Fleet sales drove growth, making up 60% of registrations.

• Private sales fell 2.3% for the second month in a row.

• BEV registrations up 25.8% YoY to 32,738 units (21.8% share).

• Petrol sales fell 12.8% YoY but remain the dominant fuel type.

April 2025 Highlights 

• 120,331 new cars registered, down 10.4% YoY and more than 25% below April 2019.

• Private (-7.9%), business (-10.9%), and fleet (-11.9%) sales all declined.

• BEV sales rose 8.1% YoY (24,588 units), representing 20.4% of the market — still below ZEV mandate targets.

March 2025 Highlights

• 357,103 new cars registered, up 12.4% YoY – the first monthly increase of 2025.

• Strong growth across electrified powertrains (BEV, HEV, PHEV).

• Diesel sales fell 10.1% YoY (20,967 units).

• Petrol sales steady at 176,847 units (-0.4% YoY).

February 2025 Highlights

• 84,054 new registrations, down 1% YoY – marking the fifth consecutive monthly decline.

• Petrol cars: 39,865 sold (-17.3% YoY), 47.4% market share.

• BEV sales up 41.7% YoY (21,244 units), making up 25% of total registrations.

• Tesla sales up 20.7% YoY; Model 3 and Model Y ranked 2nd and 3rd overall.

January 2025 Highlights

• Market contracted by 2.5% YoY.

• EV sales up 41.6% YoY, with 29,634 units sold (21% share).

• Tesla sales down 7.8% YoY, reflecting a wider European slowdown.

New Car Sales UK 

UK new car registrations have fluctuated sharply over the past decade, reflecting economic uncertainty, supply chain disruption and changing consumer demand. After the pandemic-era low in 2020, the market has steadily recovered, with 2024 recording nearly two million new registrations – the highest total since 2019. Early data suggests 2025 will push total registrations above two million units for the first time since before the pandemic.

How many new cars are sold each year in the UK?

Year	Number of New Registrations	YoY % Change
2024	1,952,778	+2.6
2023	1,903,054	+17.9
2022	1,614,063	-2.0
2021	1,647,181	+0.9
2020	1,632,064	-29.4
2019	2,311,140	-2.4
2018	2,367,147	-6.8
2017	2,540,617	-5.6
2016	2,692,786	+2.3
2015	2,633,503	+6.3
2014	2,476,435	+9.3
2013	2,264,737	+10.8
2012	2,044,609	+5.3
2011	1,941,253	-

 

UK Car Market Trends 

Diesel continues to decline rapidly in the UK. In 2024, diesel sales fell by 13.6% and accounted for just 6.3% of all new registrations, underlining how far the fuel type has fallen out of favour.

Petrol remains the largest single fuel category, taking 52.2% of the market in 2024, but electrified vehicles are now the main growth driver. Battery-electric cars alone reached a 19.6% share, making BEVs the second most popular choice after petrol.

UK vehicle production slowed in late 2024 as manufacturers retooled for new electric models and demand weakened across parts of Europe. Total output fell by more than 15% in October, while EV and hybrid production dropped by around a third.

Despite this short-term slowdown in production, consumer demand for electric cars continues to strengthen. BEV registrations started 2025 with growth of more than 40% year-on-year, reinforcing the long-term shift away from petrol and diesel.

 

UK Car Sales by Fuel Type 2025 

The latest new car sales numbers for 2025

Month	Diesel	Petrol	BEV	PHEV	HEV
January	8,625	70,075	29,634	12,598	18,413
February	4,241	39,986	21,244	7,273	11,431
March	20,967	176,847	69,313	33,815	56,161
April	6,381	58,733	24,558	14,073	16,586
May	7,792	71,291	32,738	17,898	20,351
June	10,716	99,029	47,354	21,382	23,835
July	8,018	66,271	29,825	17,489	18,551
August	4,307	37,373	21,969	9,803	9,456
September	12,609	141,310	72,779	38,308	47,885
October	6,907	64,360	36,830	17,601	19,250
YTD Total	93,563	824,275	385,244	190,240	241,419

 

UK Car Sales by Fuel Type 2024 

New car sales numbers by fuel type 2024

Month	Diesel	Petrol	BEV	PHEV	HEV
January	9,348	81,905	20,935	11,944	18,744
February	4,995	48,001	14,991	6,098	10,801
March	23,312	177,019	48,388	24,517	44,550
April	8,649	74,877	22,717	10,493	17,538
May	9,220	81,058	26,031	11,866	19,503
June	10,696	91,227	34,034	16,604	26,702
July	8,708	76,879	27,335	13,149	21,446
August	5,165	42,872	19,113	5,786	11,639
September	17,556	137,793	56,387	24,486	39,017
October	8,961	72,681	29,802	13,831	19,012
November	9,434	70,317	38,581	15,687	19,591
December	7,060	59,455	43,656	12,716	17,899
2024 Total	133,074	1,014,381	381,970	187,171	266,433

 

UK Car Sales by Fuel Type 2023 

Comprehensive month-by-month fuel-type data for 2023 is not publicly available, but annual figures reveal clear shifts in the UK car market. Diesel continued its sharp decline, petrol remained the dominant choice and EVs reached record market share as driver confidence and charging infrastructure improved. 

 

Fuel Type	2023 New Car Sales	Market Share (%)
Petrol	720,124	40.9
Mild Hybrid Petrol	270,482	15.4
Battery Electric (BEV)	286,846	16.3
Hybrid Electric (HEV)	222,655	12.6
Plug-in Hybrid	129,149	7.3
Diesel	66,610	3.8
Mild Hybrid Diesel	66,096	3.8

UK Car Sales by Fuel Type 2022 

In 2022, petrol vehicles continued to dominate the UK new car market, though sales of electric and hybrid models rose sharply as manufacturers expanded their ranges. 

 

Fuel Type	2022 New Car Sales	Market Share (%)
Petrol	682,473	42.3
Battery Electric (BEV)	267,203	16.6
Mild Hybrid Petrol	219,701	13.6
Hybrid Electric (HEV)	187,948	11.6
Plug-in Hybrid	101,414	6.3
Diesel	82,981	5.1
Mild Hybrid Diesel	72,343	5.1

 

UK New Car Market Share by Fuel Type (2022–2025)

Over the past four years, the balance of fuel types in the UK’s new car market has shifted significantly. Petrol models remain the most common choice overall, but their share continues to fall as more drivers make the switch to electric and hybrid vehicles. Battery electric cars (BEVs) have seen the strongest growth, nearly doubling their market share since 2022, while diesel sales have continued to decline.

 

Fuel Type	2022 Market Share (%)	2023 Market Share (%)	2024 Market Share (%)	2025 Market Share (%) (YTD)
Petrol	42.3	40.9	37.5	42.0
Mild Hybrid Petrol	13.6	15.4	14.2	12.8
Battery Electric	16.6	16.3	18.8	23.3
Hybrid Electric	11.6	12.6	13.6	13.3
Plug-in Hybrid	6.3	7.3	9.8	12.1
Diesel	5.1	3.8	3.4	4.8
Mild Hybrid Diesel	4.5	3.8	2.7	2.5

What are the most popular cars in the UK in 2025?

The UK’s best-selling cars in 2025 show just how firmly SUVs and compact crossovers have taken over the mainstream market. Practicality, higher driving positions and family-friendly layouts continue to shape buying habits, with familiar favourites dominating the charts once again. Leading the way is the Ford Puma, which has comfortably retained its position as the country’s most popular new car so far this year. Close behind, the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai underline the ongoing demand for versatile, mid-sized SUVs.

Top 10 best-selling cars in the UK (January – June 2025):

1. Ford Puma (26,355)
2. Kia Sportage (23,012)
3. Nissan Qashqai (22,085)
4. Vauxhall Corsa (20,128)
5. Nissan Juke (18,527)
6. Volkswagen Golf (16,884)
7. MG HS (16,115)
8. Hyundai Tucson (15,496)
9. Volvo XC40 (15,267)
10. Volkswagen Tiguan (15,223)

What were the most popular cars in the UK 2024?

SUVs continued to dominate the UK market in 2024, but hatchbacks remained an essential part of the best-seller lists. The Ford Puma once again finished the year as the country’s top-selling car, showing that compact SUVs can combine strong sales with everyday practicality. Electric models also strengthened their presence, with the Tesla Model Y becoming one of the most popular cars of any type.

For more detailed information, see our rundown of the UK's best-selling cars. 

These are the latest UK car sales figures by model for 2024:

1. Ford Puma (48,340)
2. Kia Sportage (47,163)
3. Nissan Qashqai (42,418)
4. Nissan Juke (34,454)
5. Tesla Model Y (32,862)
6. Volkswagen Golf (32,370)
7. Hyundai Tucson (32,174)
8. MG HS (30,207)
9. Volvo XC40 (30,202)
10. Volkswagen Polo (28,981)

 

The best-selling cars in the UK 2023

The 2023 results showed how modern buyers increasingly favour compact SUVs, even when traditional hatchbacks remain popular. The Ford Puma topped the chart, highlighting how crossovers have replaced small family cars as the default choice for many drivers.

1. Ford Puma (49,591)
2. Nissan Qashqai (43,321)
3. Vauxhall Corsa (40,816)
4. Kia Sportage (36,135)
5. Tesla Model Y (35,899)
6. Hyundai Tucson (34,469)
7. MINI (33,385)
8. Nissan Juke (31,745)
9. Audi A3 (30,159)
10. Vauxhall Mokka (29,984)

 

The best-selling cars in the UK 2022

In 2022, the Nissan Qashqai reclaimed the top spot, reinforcing its long-standing reputation as one of the UK’s favourite family cars. The rise of electric vehicles was also becoming clear, with the Tesla Model Y already challenging established petrol and diesel models.

1. Nissan Qashqai (42,704)
2. Vauxhall Corsa (35,910)
3. Tesla Model Y (35,551)
4. Ford Puma (35,008)
5. MINI Hatch (32,387)
6. Kia Sportage (29,655)
7. Hyundai Tucson (27,839)
8. Volkswagen Golf (26,558)
9. Ford Kuga (26,549)
10. Ford Fiesta (25,070)

The best-selling cars in the UK 2021

The 2021 market was heavily shaped by supply shortages and the global semiconductor crisis. Against that backdrop, the Vauxhall Corsa emerged as the UK’s best-selling car, ending the Ford Fiesta’s long dominance and highlighting the appeal of affordable, efficient superminis during uncertain times.

1. Vauxhall Corsa (40,914)
2. Tesla Model 3 (34,783)
3. MINI Hatch (31,792)
4. Mercedes-Benz A-Class (30,710)
5. Volkswagen Polo (30,634)
6. Volkswagen Golf (30,240)
7. Nissan Qashqai (29,922)
8. Ford Puma (28,697)
9. Kia Sportage (27,611)
10. Toyota Yaris (27,415) 

UK Car Sales Figures by Manufacturer

Best selling car manufacturers in the UK 2024, 2023, 2022.

 

Manufacturer	2024 Sales	2023 Sales	2022 Sales
Volkswagen	166,304	162,087	131,850
Ford	109,955	144,072	126,826
Audi	122,431	137,485	110,144
BMW	125,265	111,734	108,264
Toyota	~112,000	109,864	102,181
Kia	112,252	107,765	100,191
Vauxhall	~95,000	100,417	83,691
Nissan	~85,000	89,460	76,711
Mercedes-Benz	~87,000	87,782	80,910
Hyundai	~88,000	87,112	80,419

 

• Volkswagen retained its position as the UK’s best-selling manufacturer in 2024, extending its lead after a strong 2023 performance.

• BMW was one of the standout performers, recording double-digit growth and overtaking several rivals in total registrations.

• Kia also continued its steady rise, strengthening its position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing mainstream brands.

• Ford saw a notable drop in overall manufacturer sales, despite the Puma remaining the UK’s best-selling individual model.

• Audi’s registrations declined in 2024 compared to 2023, showing softer demand across the premium segment.

• Toyota remained stable, maintaining its long-term upward trend in the UK market.

• Vauxhall and Nissan both experienced slight falls, reflecting pressure on traditional high-volume brands.

• Mercedes-Benz stayed broadly flat year-on-year, while Hyundai recorded modest growth.

• Overall, 2024 showed a clear split between brands benefiting from strong hybrid and electric offerings (such as BMW, Kia and Hyundai) and those more exposed to slowing petrol and diesel demand.

Brand Performance

Who is the leading car manufacturer in the world? 

Toyota remains the world's leading car manufacturer, and continues to dominate global sales. 

It has held the top position for several consecutive years, selling over 10 million vehicles globally each year, including around 10.8 million in 2024, ahead of the Volkswagen Group in second place. Despite softer demand in some markets, Toyota’s strong hybrid lineup and global reach across Asia, North America, and Europe continue to keep it at the top of the worldwide sales rankings.

Toyota Car Sales Statistics

In 2024, Toyota delivered around 10.8 million vehicles worldwide, securing its position as the best-selling automaker for the sixth consecutive year. Although this was slightly down on its 2023 total of 11.23 million, it still kept Toyota comfortably ahead of its nearest rivals, including the Volkswagen Group.

Looking further back, Toyota sold more than 9.5 million vehicles in 2022, reinforcing how consistently it has led the global market through the post-pandemic recovery period.

Toyota’s success is driven by its breadth of models and strength in hybrid technology. The Corolla remains one of the best-selling cars of all time globally and continues to be one of the most popular hybrid vehicles in many markets. The Hilux pickup is another cornerstone of Toyota’s global dominance, particularly in Asia, Africa, and Australia, where it is consistently one of the best-selling vehicles of any type. Toyota’s early commitment to hybrids has also given it a strong advantage as consumers transition away from traditional petrol and diesel powertrains.

In the UK, Toyota’s performance has softened slightly in 2025, with the latest data showing Toyota has sold 52,058 new cars, giving it a 4.04% market share. This is down compared with the same point in 2024, when it had recorded 58,501 registrations, reflecting tougher competition and slower growth in the private market.

Despite this short-term slowdown in the UK, Toyota remains one of the most resilient brands globally. Its heavy focus on hybrids rather than full battery-electric vehicles continues to appeal to buyers who want lower emissions without committing to full EV ownership, particularly in markets where charging infrastructure is still developing.

Key Toyota facts:

• Global sales 2024: ~10.8 million vehicles

• Global sales 2023: 11.23 million vehicles

• Global sales 2022: 9.56 million vehicles

• UK sales 2025 YTD: 52,058 vehicles (4.04% market share)

• UK sales 2024 (same period): 58,501 vehicles

• Strongest segments: hybrids, pickups (Hilux), compact cars (Corolla)

Toyota’s continued dominance shows that large-scale hybrid adoption remains a powerful alternative path to electrification, even as BEV-only brands push aggressively into the market.

 

BMW Car Sales Statistics

BMW continues to be one of the world’s leading premium car manufacturers, balancing strong global demand with rapid growth in electric vehicles. After recording its best-ever sales year in 2023, overall volumes eased slightly in 2024, but EV deliveries continued to rise, showing the brand’s long-term shift towards electrification. China, the US and Europe remain BMW’s three most important markets, with China alone accounting for a substantial share of global sales.

In the UK, BMW has seen a small slowdown in 2025 compared with last year, reflecting tougher market conditions and increasing competition, particularly from newer electric brands. Despite this, BMW remains firmly established as one of the UK’s most popular premium manufacturers. Its electric models are becoming an increasingly important part of its global performance, with over half a million EVs delivered worldwide in 2024 alone.

The MINI brand, part of BMW Group, saw a notable dip in sales in 2024 following a strong 2023, as it transitions its line-up towards new electric and hybrid models.

Key BMW facts:

• • UK sales 2025 (YTD): 73,787 cars

  • UK market share 2025 (YTD): 6.25%

  • UK sales 2024 (same period): 79,712 cars

  • Global sales 2024: ~2.2 million vehicles (-2.3% YoY)

  • Global sales 2023: 2,253,835 vehicles (BMW’s best year on record, +7.3%)

  • Global EV deliveries 2024: 593,215 vehicles

  • Global EV deliveries 2023: 566,486 vehicles

  • Non-combustion vehicles sold in 2023: 330,596 (+92.2% vs 2022)

  • US sales 2023: 362,244 vehicles (record year)

  • Asia sales 2023: 1,070,142 vehicles

  • China sales 2023: 824,932 vehicles

  • Europe sales 2023: 942,805 vehicles (+7.5% YoY)

  • MINI global sales 2023: 295,474 vehicles

  • MINI global sales 2024: 244,915 vehicles (-17.1%)

Chevrolet Car Sales Statistics

• Chevrolet remains one of the strongest mass-market brands in the Americas, with its performance closely tied to General Motors’ wider global results. While GM sold around 2.7 million vehicles worldwide in 2024, Chevrolet continues to dominate key markets such as the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Canada. Its strength comes from a broad range of pickups, SUVs and affordable passenger cars that perform consistently well across North and South America.

  The brand has seen particularly strong momentum outside the US, with growing demand in Canada and several Latin American markets. Brazil remains Chevrolet’s largest market outside North America, reinforcing its position as one of the most important regions for the brand globally.

  Key Chevrolet facts:

  • General Motors global sales 2024: ~2.705 million vehicles

  • Chevrolet US sales 2023: 1,702,700 vehicles

  • Chevrolet’s best-ever US year: 2005 (2,584,509 vehicles)

  • Canada sales 2023: 135,484 vehicles

  • Canada growth: +18.4% vs 2022 (114,435 vehicles)

  • Brazil sales 2023: 327,781 vehicles

  • Mexico sales 2023: 172,066 vehicles

  • Argentina sales 2023: 30,437 vehicles

  • Colombia sales 2023: 23,241 vehicles

  • Chile sales 2023: 18,861 vehicles

Tesla Car Sales Statistics

Tesla remains the world’s most recognisable pure-electric car manufacturer, but its growth has become more uneven across key markets. While the brand continues to benefit from strong global demand for EVs, 2025 has shown signs of slower momentum in some regions, particularly in the US and UK. Competition is also intensifying, especially in China, where domestic manufacturers such as BYD now dominate EV volumes.

Tesla’s success continues to be driven by the Model Y and Model 3, which account for the vast majority of its global sales. However, increasing price competition, reduced incentives in some markets and a broader choice of electric vehicles are making Tesla’s market position more competitive than in previous years.

Key Tesla facts:

• United States sales (2023): 654,888 vehicles

  • Model Y: 394,497

  • Model 3: 220,910

  • Model X: 23,015

  • Model S: 16,466

• China sales (2023): 603,304 vehicles

  • BYD comparison: 1,262,065 BEVs sold in China in 2023

• UK sales (2025 YTD): 23,708 vehicles

  • UK market share: 2.01%

  • Same period 2024: 25,491 vehicles

• US market trend (2025):

  • Registrations fell for six consecutive months up to July, despite overall EV registrations continuing to rise

Electric and Hybrid Cars Sales Statistics

Electric and hybrid vehicles are now firmly established in the global car market, moving beyond early adoption and into the mainstream. Governments across the UK, Europe, China and the US continue to push electrification through emissions targets, incentives and long-term bans on new petrol and diesel sales.

In the UK, electric adoption has accelerated dramatically. In 2014, just 2.2% of new cars were electric. That figure rose to 16.6% by 2022, reached 19.6% in 2024, and in 2025 BEVs are tracking at around 23–24% of new registrations. Electrified vehicles overall (BEV, HEV and PHEV combined) now regularly exceed 50% of monthly new car sales.

In 2024, electric vehicles made up over 20% of global new car sales, with more than 17 million EVs sold worldwide. China accounted for around 65% of those sales, while Europe contributed roughly 17%. In 2025, global EV sales are projected to exceed 20 million units for the first time.

Electric car registrations in the UK continued rising through 2025. In June alone, 191,316 new EVs were registered, a 6.7% increase year-on-year. For the full year, BEVs are expected to finish at around 23% market share, still below the UK’s ZEV mandate target but showing strong structural growth.

In 2024, the UK market breakdown was:

• BEVs: 19.6%

• PHEVs: 8.6%

• HEVs: 13.4%

• Total electrified share: 41.6%

Internationally, electrification is progressing at different speeds:

• China: EVs and hybrids made up 40.9% of all new car sales in 2024

• EU: By mid-2025, hybrids were the largest single powertrain category, holding 34.7% market share

• United States: EVs and hybrids accounted for over 16% of new vehicle sales in 2023, rising further in 2024

• Japan: Hybrid vehicles remain dominant, with over 2 million hybrid registrations in 2024

The shift toward electrification is also delivering measurable environmental benefits. As early as 2022, the growing share of EVs helped reduce the UK’s average new-car CO₂ emissions to a record low of 111.4 g/km, and further reductions are expected as BEV adoption accelerates.

For more information and the latest EV statistics, visit this Electric Car Statistics page.

 

What percentage of new car sales are electric?

In 2024, 19.6% of new cars sold in the UK were fully electric.
In 2025, BEV market share is tracking closer to 23–24%, while electrified vehicles overall regularly exceed 50% of monthly registrations.

 

What is the best-selling electric car in the UK?

he Tesla Model Y was the UK’s best-selling electric car in 2024 with 32,862 registrations. It was followed by:

• Audi Q4 e-tron – 17,622

• Tesla Model 3 – 17,425

• MG4 – 15,651

• BMW i4 – 12,953

The Model Y has remained among the top-selling EVs again in 2025, reflecting continued demand for compact electric SUVs.

International Car Sales Statistics

• Around 10.6 million cars were sold in the European Union in 2024 – a 0.8% increase compared to 2023.
• In the first half of 2025 new car registrations in the EU were 5,576,568, which represents a 1.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024.
• In 2024, China retained its position as the largest single-country car market in the world with 31.4 million vehicle sales. 
• Light vehicle sales in the US reached around 15.9 million in 2024, making it the world's second-largest new car market.
• India overtook Japan as the third largest car market in the world – 4,101,700 vehicles registered in India versus Japan’s 3,992,700 vehicle sales in 2023.
• In 2023, India’s car market grew by 8.1% from 3,792,400 in 2022 to 4,101,700 in 2023.
• 2019 was the best year for the European Union, the UK, and EFTA countries in terms of car sales. A combined 15,805,800 vehicles were sold in those markets.
• Mexico reported 1,360,100 light passenger vehicle sales in 2023.
• Sales of light vehicles in Brazil grew 11% to 2,180,200 in 2023.

 

Car Sales in Europe

Car sales increased slightly in the EU in 2024 compared to 2023, up 0.8% to 10.6 million units. While petrol remains the most popular power source for European drivers (accounting for 33.3% of sales) HEVs represented nearly a third (30.9%) of sales in the EU in 2024. Just 13.6% of new cars sales were BEVs in 2024.

• The opening 4 months of 2025 saw car sales in the EU fall by 1.2% compared to the same period in 2024.
• EU new car registrations in April, however, increased by 1.3% YoY.
• The combined market share of petrol and diesel cars has declined in 2025. Petrol and diesel market share for January-April 2025 sat at 38.2% - down from 48.4% over the same period in 2024.

 

US Car Sale Statistics

• Across retail and fleet sales approximately 13.3 million units were sold in the U.S. in 2024, representing a 4.6% increase compared to 2023.
• The USA experienced one of the biggest declines in new vehicle sales in 2020, with a year-on-year fall of 2.5 million vehicles.
• 1.277 million automotive vehicles were sold in the US in July 2024, a drop from the same month in 2023, where 1.314 million were sold.

 

What percentage of US car sales are electric?

2023 was the first time EV sales surpassed 1 million units for a single year in the U.S. New car shoppers bought 1.2 million electric cars which puts the EV share of U.S. new car sales in 2023 at 7.6%, an increase of 5.9% from 2022. 

In 2024 EVs accounted for 10% of vehicle sales in the US, with 1.56 million electric vehicles sold. In Q1 of 2025, 9.6% of vehicle sales were electric vehicles. 

 

China Car Sale Statistics

• China is the largest new car market in the world, selling an averaging over 25 million cars sold every year.  
• In 2023, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles accounted for 36% of new car sales in China.
• Asia was BMW’s biggest market, with 1,070,142 vehicles sold in 2023 - China alone accounted for 824,932 sales.
• Tesla sold 603,304 EVs in China in 2023. The automaker faced stiff opposition from China’s BYD which sold 1,262,065 BEVs.
• In April 2025, car sales in China rose for the third straight month, totalling 1.78 million. Sales in April were up 14.8% compared to 2024. For the first 4 months of 2025, 6.97 million cars have been sold in China – 8.2% higher than the same period in 2024.

 

Germany Car Sales Statistics

• In 2024 the total new passenger car registrations was 2,817,331, a 1% decline from the 2,844,609 registered in 2023.
• 380,609 BEVs were registered, accounting for 13.5% of the market, a sharp fall from 18.4% in 2023 and 17.7% in 2022.
• Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs): 191,905 registrations, up compared to 2023, representing 6.8% of the 2024 market.
• Petrol vehicles accounted for 35.% of of cars registers in 2024, up from 34.4% in 2023.
• Sales of diesel-powered vehicles had just a small increase from 17.1% in 2023 to 17.2% in 2024.

 

Australia Car Sales Statistics

• In total there were 1,237,287 new vehicles sold in Australia in 2024. This marked a 1.7% increase over 2023’s 1,216,780. This set a new all time high - 2017 held the previous highest sales record of 1,189,116 vehicles.
• Nearly 1 in 10 cars sold (9.65%) were electric vehicles, up from 7.2% of all car sales in 2023.
• Toyota was the top-selling car brand in 2024 for the 22nd consecutive year, selling 241,296 vehicles.
• In 2023 588,622 new cars in Australia were petrol-powered, which represents 48.4% of total car sales.
• 2,324,805 used cars  were sold in Australia in 2024, marking a 12.% increase in 2023. 
• Almost 1 in 10 new cars bought in 2024 in Australia are EVs - EV sales have increased 150% since 2022.
• The Tesla Model Y is the most popular new EV in Australia, accounting for 20% of all electric car sales in the country.

 

Canada Car Sales Statistics

• 253,322 new passenger cars were registered in Canada in 2023, in 2024 there was a decrease in car registrations of 2.4%. 
• 1,485,948 light trucks were sold in Canada in 2023, 15.5% higher than the previous year’s 1,285,829 vehicles sold. In 2024, 62.9% of registrations were SUVs and light trucks. 

 

New Zealand Car Sales Statistics

• A total of 128,828 new vehicles were registered in New Zealand in 2024, marking a 13.5% drop from 2023's figure of 149,040.
• Toyota led the market with 20,705 new vehicle registrations in 2024, retaining the top brand position despite a 5.5% year-over-year decline. 
• For 2025 YTD Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) made up 6.1% of sales, up from 4.3% in 2024, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) made up 5.6% of sales, up from 2.1% in 2024 and  Petrol/Diesel (ICE):  made up approximately 56.6% of sales, down from around 67.8% in 2024.

 

Ireland Car Sales Statistics

• In 2024, 121,195 new vehicles were registered in Ireland, a 1% decline from 2023. 
• Of these registered vehicles, Petrol remained the post popular taking 30.31% of the market, where Diesel took 22.80%. 
• Looking at EVs, 20.92% were sales of hybrid vehicles, 14.41% BEVs and 10.02% PHEVs. 
• In 2024, sales of new electric cars in Ireland fell to 17,459 vehicles, down from 22,789 in 2023 (but still higher than the 15,678 recorded in 2022)
• Electric, Hybrid, and Plug-in electric hybrid accounted for 45.5% of the new car market in Ireland.

 

Car Sales in South Africa Statistics

• In 2024, 515,712 new vehicles were registered in South Africa - a 3% decline compared with 2023, when 532,500 units were sold.
• South Africa registered 15,611 new energy vehicles (NEVs) — including battery electrics, plug-in hybrids, and traditional hybrids — which made up around 3% of total new vehicle sales.

 

Singapore Car Sales Statistics

• In 2024, Singapore saw a total of 43,022 new car registrations, a 42.3% surge compared to 2023's 30,225 registrations. 
• BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle brand, became Singapore’s best-selling carmaker in 2024, with 6,191 units sold and a 14.4% market share, overtaking long-standing leader Toyota. 
• Toyota ranked second in 2024, with 5,736 vehicle sales. 
• Tesla sold 2,384 vehicles in 2024 - a significant improvement over 2023, but still lagged behind both BYD and Toyota.

 

India Car Sales Statistics

• In 2024, India recorded 25 million new vehicle sales, a record high and an 11.6% year-on-year increase over 2023.
• Maruti Suzuki sold 1,755,423 new passenger vehicles in India in 2024, capturing a 40.9% market share, the highest among all brands.
• Petrol vehicles remain the most popular, accounting for 57.5% of total new passenger vehicle registrations.

France Car Sales Statistics 

• In 2024, new passenger car registrations in France fell by around 3.2%, totalling approximately 1.72 million units. The market remains around 20% below pre-pandemic levels, with overall volumes similar to those recorded in 2022.
• Stellantis remained the country’s largest manufacturer group with around 452,900 new registrations, followed by the Renault Group at roughly 425,100. The best-selling brands were Renault, Peugeot, and Dacia.
• Electric vehicle uptake continued to grow modestly, with fully electric models accounting for around 16.9% of new car sales in 2024. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids together represented about one-third of the market.
• In the first half of 2025, France’s new-car market has softened further, with registrations down 7.9% year-on-year. June 2025 was particularly weak, the country’s lowest-performing June in 28 years, down 6.7% compared with June 2024.
• Despite the slowdown, France remains one of Europe’s top five automotive markets, with EV adoption continuing to climb gradually as national incentives and charging-infrastructure projects expand.

Vehicle sales by country

Global new car sales reached approximately 37.4 million units in the first half of 2025, up around 5% year-on-year, showing continued recovery and steady demand across most major markets. Electric vehicles remain the standout growth area, with combined global sales of over 9.5 million BEVs and PHEVs in H1 2025 — a 34% increase compared with the same period in 2024.

In 2024, total worldwide sales reached around 74.6 million units, up roughly 2.5% on 2023, marking the second consecutive year of growth after a period of pandemic-related volatility. This growth was supported by strong consumer demand in emerging markets and ongoing expansion of the EV sector.

Overall, 2023 saw global sales of approximately 72 million vehicles, continuing the industry’s gradual recovery and setting the stage for the modest but broad-based gains recorded in 2024 and early 2025.

Largest global new vehicle markets by sales in 2022: 

Country	New Vehicle Sales	% Difference on 2021
China	23,563,247	+10
USA	13,689,240	-8
Japan	4,203,712	-5
India	3,780,870	+23
Germany	2,651,574	+1
Brazil	1,957,834	-1
South Korea	1,672,256	-2
UK	1,615,219	-2
France	1,598,976	-8
Canada	1,524,379	-7

Global Car Sales by Brand

2024 Global Car Sales

In 2024, Toyota remained the world’s largest car manufacturer for the fifth consecutive year, selling around 10.8 million vehicles globally. This was followed by the Volkswagen Group, which delivered just over 9 million units worldwide, maintaining its strong presence across Europe and China. Hyundai Motor Group (including Kia) ranked third with approximately 7.2 million vehicles sold, while General Motors sold just over 6 million units globally, driven by a recovery in North American demand. Stellantis rounded out the top five with around 5.5 million vehicle sales, reflecting stable volumes across its multi-brand portfolio.

Together, these top five groups accounted for more than half of all global new vehicle sales in 2024, underlining their continued dominance in both combustion and electrified markets.

2023 Global Car Sales by Manufacturer

Manufacturer	Approx. Sales (2023)
Toyota	~ 10.3 million
Volkswagen Group	~ 9.24 million
Hyundai / Kia	~ 7.30 million
Stellantis	~ 6.39 million
General Motors	~ 6.19 million

 

2022 Global Car Sales by Manufacturer

 

Manufacturer	Global Sales (2022)
Toyota	9,560,000
Volkswagen Group	8,260,000
Hyundai / Kia	6,840,000
Stellantis	6,000,000
General Motors	5,940,000
Ford	4,230,000
Honda	4,070,000
Nissan	3,220,000
BMW Group	2,390,000
Changan Automobile	2,340,000