The year did not turn out perfect, yet the situation did not deteriorate either. Local dealers from Alicante managed to prevent a steeper drop, with nationwide registrations recording a modest uptick thanks to a revival in tourism and a better performance in coastal zones hit hardest by the early pandemic shutdowns and the supply shortages that persisted for producers.
Nationally, passenger car and SUV sales finished 5.4% lower than the previous year, totaling 813,396 units. In the province, dealers helped cushion the impact with 31,886 transactions, still roughly half of Alicante’s pre-pandemic levels. This marks a small improvement of about 0.7% after two consecutive declines, according to data from Anfac, Faconauto and Ganvam.
Significant improvement stems from several factors: business acquisitions reaching 9,576 operations with a 28.2% rise in fleet activity including rentals; and a notable increase in special purchases, 16,801 transactions, up 8.6%. These numbers illustrate a robust regional recovery in the year.
In contrast, rental fleets of self-drive cars—often referred to as rent-a-car—fell 36.8% to 5,509, far from the share they once held in the region, where these operators once accounted for nearly half of the market.
The shift is not due to a lack of demand but comes from a rapidly changing market. Shortages of supply and limited production have pushed many manufacturers to direct vehicles to private buyers and leasing fleets, which yields higher margins than large leasing operators that offer heavy discounts for big orders.
A Ford dealer in the city.
tourism
Industry associations, including Faconauto, attribute Alicante’s improved picture to broader economic activity and tourism in the region. Similar positive signs appeared across other popular destinations such as the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and Malaga, which also finished last year with positive figures.
Businesses in the area confirm the trend. The owner of a Benidorm Ford dealership noted a meaningful uptick, describing the situation as acceptable, with demand closely tied to general economic health.
Even so, industry leaders caution that the sector is far from fully resolved. Delays persist in delivering new vehicles, sometimes exceeding six months, unless customers opt for one of several available units on hand.
Electric car
Perez adds that questions about the electric transition still influence many buyers. Some postpone purchases because the benefits and charging infrastructure remain unclear. Despite that, forecasts for 2023 point to higher registration numbers as many drivers replace aging vehicles.
Regional dealers also anticipate that new regulations will encourage cleaner mobility. A framework aimed at limiting traffic from the most polluting vehicles in larger cities could further spur demand for less emissive options, according to Antonia Solo from a Benidorm Kia dealership.
Chip crisis delays delivery of trucks to carriers for more than a year
Meanwhile, most dealers offset the revenue drop with higher after-sales activity, particularly workshops and service centers, as Sola explains.
The numbers indicate a shift in the market mindset. Diesel vehicles, once dominant, accounted for 12.46% of registrations nationwide last year. Gasoline-powered cars still lead with about 53%, while hybrids, electrics, and alternative propulsion now make up roughly 34.47% of Alicante’s sales.
KIA and Hyundai continue as the province’s top brands. Anfac, Faconauto and Ganvam record show KIA with 4,645 units last year, the highest in the region, followed closely by Hyundai with 3,649. Citroën and Peugeot each logged about 2,484, Toyota 1,916, Dacia 1,785, Opel 1,631, Renault 1,491, and Volkswagen 1,337. This mix underscores how European chip shortages and material constraints have impacted various brands differently, with Korean and Japanese makers relying more on their own supply chains and less on external suppliers.