After three years of rough desert crossings caused by the epidemic and disrupted supply chains, the auto market closed the previous year with a notable rebound in sales. In Alicante, this rebound stood out, rising above the national average thanks to sustained interest from individuals and heightened fleet purchases by rental companies for tourism purposes.
For 2023, data released this Tuesday by the leading manufacturer and dealer associations Ganvam, Anfac, and Faconauto show that 39,064 passenger cars and SUVs were registered in the province, up 22.52 percent from the prior year. This increase outpaced the national trend, which recorded 949,359 new vehicle registrations, up 16.7 percent.
The shift represents a clear change in trajectory from recent years. The pandemic in 2020 nearly halved sales, followed by two recessionary years as many factories paused production due to the chip shortage crisis, which constrained vehicle availability.
Indeed, much of the growth observed in early 2023, when registrations in the province nearly doubled versus the previous year, was driven by car deliveries that had been booked in 2020 for a long lead time, sometimes stretching up to a year in advance.
Car sales accelerated in Alicante, growing by almost 17% in October
Although the industry characterizes the data as positive, it notes that levels remain well below pre-pandemic figures. In Alicante, 39,064 sales were recorded, still about 36 percent below the 2019 total, with the national tally reaching 61,501 registrations across the country. Industry stakeholders are urging fresh incentives aimed at renewing the vehicle fleet and, specifically, a simpler and faster aid program for buying electric vehicles.
Vehicles on the market in Alicante show ongoing activity from Firauto listings.
channels
Distribution by channels shows that individuals registered 19,333 passenger cars and SUVs in Alicante last year, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. This growth comes amid higher consumer finance costs, making buyers more selective and emphasizing value in their purchases.
Meanwhile, the strongest gains occurred with vehicle registrations by rental companies. The period’s supply constraints pressured dealers to maximize margins by directing the limited inventory to the private market, adding 9,408 new cars, a rise of 70.7 percent. Fleet purchases by businesses and other sectors also grew, totaling 10,323 registrations and signaling broader corporate demand.
engines
The data also reflect progress in the electrification of the sector. Up to 40.79 percent of vehicles registered in Alicante last year were hybrid or electric. Gasoline engine cars represented 51.98 percent, while diesel engine vehicles accounted for 7.23 percent. In the final months, the share of hybrid and electric vehicles surpassed 50 percent, highlighting a rapid shift toward cleaner powertrains.
Faconauto and Ganvam caution that the share of pure electric cars or plug-in hybrids has yet to catch up with the 20 percent share seen in Europe, still well below the Europe-wide average and the broader push toward electrification.
Hyundai and Kia led the market in the state, with Hyundai topping the registrations and surpassing Kia for the first time in the period, totaling 5,050 units versus 4,900 for Kia. Peugeot claimed third place with 3,067 registrations, followed by Dacia with 2,178 and Ford with 2,096. A notable development was the surge in Chinese brand MG, which moved 1,680 units, a remarkable 361 percent year-over-year increase.