The European auto market finished September on a positive note, extending a two-month recovery that began in July and suggesting cautious optimism as the year draws to a close. Despite the September uptick, the year-to-date total remains below the previous year, with cumulative registrations from January through September around 6.78 million, marking a 9.9% drop versus the same period in 2021. The market appears set to conclude the year with a negative trajectory given the ongoing supply constraints and macroeconomic headwinds that have weighed on demand.
In September, EU registrations reached 787,870 vehicles, up 9.6% from September 2021. The four largest markets contributed decisively to the gains: Germany rose by 14.1%, Spain by 12.7%, France by 5.5%, and Italy by 5.4%. Yet when looking at the year-to-date figures, all four posted declines, with Italy taking the largest hit at 16.3% and Spain and Germany seeing smaller declines. The UK, outside the core EU, also finished the month on a positive note, registering 225,269 units, a 4.6% rise compared to the prior year but still down 8.2% on a year-to-date basis.
ACEA, the industry federation representing European motor manufacturers, emphasized the September improvement but cautioned that the broader context remains fragile. September 2021 had been particularly weak due to the global chip shortage, which makes recent months look comparatively stronger yet does not erase the broader challenges faced by the sector.
mixed results
As in recent months, most car groups posted declines overall, with a few exceptions thanks to better stock levels resulting from more stable chip supply. Volkswagen Group led the gains with a 25.7% increase to 196,019 units. Stellantis posted a modest 0.3% rise to 148,761 units. Renault Group, by contrast, declined by 1.2% while Hyundai-Kia slipped 7%. Hyundai-Kia’s performance was otherwise notable for a robust 30.5% increase in certain markets, underscoring how portfolio mix and supply dynamics shaped September’s results. Mercedes-Benz AG reported a 39.9% surge, while Toyota’s figures showed a 31.4% slump in some segments, and Mitsubishi delivered a modest 3,761 units. SEAT saw a 4.7% drop to 22,243 units.
Looking at the year-to-date totals, the underlying story remains dominated by the chip crisis and inflationary pressures. Hyundai-Kia and Toyota posted year-on-three-quarters gains compared to 2021, while several major groups faced more pronounced declines. Volkswagen Group fell by 13.9% on the year, with SEAT down 19.7%. Stellantis registered a 17.2% increase, Volvo rose 22.1%, Mazda advanced by 20%, and Jaguar Land Rover climbed 19.8%. These figures illustrate the mixed, uneven recovery across brands and markets as manufacturers navigate supply chain disruptions and varying regional demand.