For the second consecutive month, the passenger car and SUV segment in Alicante posted gains, recording 30% growth with 2,764 new units. The rise is partly linked to a smoother supply chain and higher vehicle production, yet it’s important to note that sales had stalled toward the end of 2022 due to bottlenecks in vehicle transport. This makes it unclear how the January and February uptick will translate into November and December performance. Even with this improvement, enrollments remain below the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2020. On an annual basis, the year-to-date total now stands at 5,184 units, representing a 38% increase over the previous year.
When looking at channel-based performances, the trend mirrors the overall market trajectory. In the most recent month, retail sales climbed by 8.87% to 1,448 units, while company sales rose to 955 units or a 36.82% increase, and leased vehicles reached 284.04% with 361 units registered.
“February continues the upward path we began the year with,” stated Félix García, director of communications and marketing at ANFAC. While growth remains positive, the current numbers still lag behind February 2020, before the pandemic altered the market. Spain registered 98,221 vehicles that February, underscoring a monthly market shortfall of more than 20,000 units in comparison. Parts supply chains are gradually improving, which supports development, yet logistical bottlenecks persist. Inflationary pressures also complicate the scene, though they are easing slightly. In this context, industry voices argue for direct incentives to purchase electric vehicles rather than subsidies alone, a policy approach that could accelerate market expansion and strengthen the push toward low and zero-emission vehicles, potentially rejuvenating an aging fleet of around 14 years on average.
Raúl Morales, FACONAUTO’s director of communications, noted, “The February improvements mark two consecutive months with a positive market trend. We do not expect a sudden reversal in the near term, since many December transactions were posted in the early months of the year. Revitalizing the market remains a priority, and this early-year momentum is promising, but turning it into a sustained trend will require continued progress toward a stable path for the country’s automotive sector and broader economy.”
According to Tania Puche, GANVAM’s director of communications, “recordings again signal positive movement. Growth slowed in February, yet it continued to rise, largely supported by the rental sector, which doubled its purchases versus the same month last year. Still, pre-pandemic levels are not yet reached, so a full market recovery remains out of reach. Economic uncertainty and ongoing logistics challenges will not allow the industry to break through significant psychological milestones or achieve a full annual recovery until at least 2024.”