Good news for dealers. After three years of subdued Alicante car sales, first due to the pandemic and then the chip shortage, production slowed and deliveries faced major delays. With tourism expected to surge this summer, production lines normalized and rental fleets reduced, leading to a notable rise in registrations in the province. Early figures show a strong start to the year, with growth exceeding 45 percent in aggregate.
During the first half of the year, 23,602 passenger cars and SUVs were registered, up from 16,217 the previous year. Purchases increased across all market segments, with rental vehicles showing a particularly sharp rise as fleets were replenished after years of limited supply and constrained availability.
Thus, while rental sector registrations were 3,390 in 2021, they reached 8,527 in the first quarter of this year. The ongoing vehicle shortage still restricted sales in this segment, narrowing margins as operators focused on the broader market. Once restrictions eased, rental companies resumed normal buying patterns, and some optimistic forecasting emerged about a stronger tourist season, boosting confidence among business leaders both nationally and internationally.
Other segments also show momentum. Company purchases rose 18.8 percent to 5,754 units, while consumer purchases climbed to 9,321 units, a 16.75 percent increase. These figures come from data provided by employers through Faconauto, Anfac and Ganvam.
Registrations in Alicante accounted for 45.54 percent of the province’s rise, well above the national average of 24 percent. This difference is largely due to the growing share of rental cars within the local market.
More hybrids
The strongest gain occurred in the hybrid and electric vehicle segment, which rose 68 percent in the first half of the year. These vehicles now account for more than a third of all registrations in the province, with a precise share of 35.36 percent.
Gasoline cars remain the preferred choice in Alicante, representing 57 percent of sales and showing a 54 percent year-on-year increase. Diesel sales declined sharply, down 29.46 percentage points from 2022 and now composing only 7.48 percent of regional dealer activity.
Lack of cars threatens tourist rentals
Faconauto highlights the stronger overall vehicle sales, even when Spain-wide figures still trail well behind pre-pandemic levels. The national market remains roughly 20 percent below the totals seen before the disruption, signaling room for recovery across the sector.
Anfac notes that the timing of a full market rebound is uncertain. The industry is watching closely how rising interest rates affect vehicle financing costs and, in turn, sales momentum.