Motor vehicle sales push for 33% growth in Alicante despite a challenging year
Sales in the Alicante region are expected to grow by about a third this year, even though the sector has faced a string of negatives. Data from the main employer associations in the industry indicate a 10.9% drop so far this year in August, signaling a softer pace compared with prior periods.
During the first eight months, the market registered 28,800 passenger cars and SUVs sold, versus 21,688 in the same stretch of 2022. Supply constraints continued to limit availability, despite some normalization across the sector. The year has seen manufacturers work hard to keep inventories moving, even as several restrictions eased and production slowly returned to more typical levels.
When broken down by customer type, individuals purchased 12,375 vehicles, up 18.19% from the previous year. Businesses bought 7,692 units, a rise of 23.67%. The strongest surge occurred in the rental segment, which added 8,733 vehicles, a 74.73% increase that helped bolster fleet readiness and flexibility.
In this context, rental firms faced the greatest impact from the product shortage. Dealers redirected incoming cars to high-profit channels, which reduced fleet renewal and spurred additional purchases to maintain operation and service levels. The situation underscored the need for rental fleets to adapt quickly to changing supply dynamics and demand patterns.
As the renewal wave settled, a slowdown in new registrations followed, contributing to a softer market after those renewals were completed. In August alone, registrations rose slightly from 2,175 to 1,936 in the province, signaling a stabilizing trend amid ongoing adjustments.
Motorization patterns and fuel types
Looking at fuel type trends, diesel vehicles accounted for 2,057 units in the first eight months, representing 7.14% of total automobile sales in the region. Gasoline-powered models remained the majority, capturing 54.92% with 15,818 units sold. The hybrid and electric segment continued to grow, totaling 10,925 operations and expanding by about 65%, now representing 37.93% of overall sales.
From the industry perspective, the shift toward electrification is clear. Buyers are increasingly opting for hybrid and electric options, reflecting a broader energy transition and consumer interest in lower emissions and long-term savings. This trend aligns with national and regional policy signals encouraging cleaner mobility and the gradual retirement of older, less efficient vehicles.
Leasing and rental services continue to play a pivotal role in the market, contributing to one in four vehicle registrations. This indicates sustained demand for flexible mobility solutions, particularly for corporate fleets, short-term leases, and rental operations that depend on up-to-date inventories and dependable service networks.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the National Association of Auto and Truck Manufacturers cautioned that inflation, high interest rates, and political uncertainty have restrained purchases in the near term. Industry representatives also highlighted the importance of ongoing renewal programs and policy plans designed to stimulate electric vehicle adoption and accelerate the energy transition. The sector remains focused on maintaining momentum while navigating macroeconomic headwinds and the evolving regulatory landscape.
Citations: Faconauto, Ganvam, Anfac. These bodies provide the data and benchmarks that inform market outlooks and sector-wide forecasts for Alicante and similar markets in Spain. They note that more stable supply chains and targeted incentive programs could further support sustained growth through year-end and into the next cycle.