The Leapmotor T03 becomes the first Chinese model to enter the Italian podium.
New car sales in Italy are up by a solid 7.6% year-on-year in March to 185,367 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 9.2% to 484,802. Private sales are up 18% to 95,638 and 51.2% share vs. 46.7% a year ago (up 7.7% to 53.2% share YTD), self registrations are up 8.3% to 15,397 and 8.2% share, unchanged on March 2025 (up 19.1% to 9.2% share YTD), long term leases fall -11.8% to 40,781 and 21.8% share vs. 26.6% in March 2025 (down -3.2% to 21.1% share YTD), short term rentals are up 9.7% to 25,082 and 13.4% share vs. 13.2% last year (up 51.3% to 11.4% share YTD) and company sales gain 7.6% to 9,790 and 5.2% share, unchanged (up 2% to 5.1% share YTD).
BEVs shoot up 71.7% to 16,137 and 8.6% share vs. 5.4% in March 2025 (up 65.3% to 7.8% share vs. 5.2% YTD) and PHEVs soar 114.5% to 16,998 and 9.1% share vs. 4.6% a year ago (up 123.3% to 8.8% share YTD). This way, rechargeable cars gain 91.3% to 33,135 and 17.7% share vs. 10% in March 2025 (up 91.7% to 81,098 and 16.6% share YTD vs. 9.5% over the same period in 2025.
In the brands ranking, Fiat (+27.2%) continues to catch up on lost time but sees its share drop from 13.4% in February to 11.4% this month. YTD volumes are up 29.8% to 12.7% share. Volkswagen (+2.7%) overtakes Toyota (-5.6%) for second place while Dacia (+4.3%) climbs back up five spots on last month #4, overtaking sister brand Renault (+1.8%), a soaring Audi (+27.4%), a freefalling Peugeot (-26.7%), BMW (+8.2%) and Jeep (-7.8%). Citroen (+11%) closes out the Top 10 in sturdy fashion. Kia (+22.3%) also makes itself entice at #11, while Chinese Leapmotor (+2727.2%) breaks its volume record at 5,513 units and BYD surges 190.6% to #17 and 2.8% share.
Model-wise, the Fiat Panda (-11.6%) accounts for 6% of its home market vs. 8% last month, entirely responsible for the brandβs drop vs. February. The Jeep Avenger (+6.1%) repeats at a record 2nd place with 2.8% share. Once again the biggest event of the month is delivered by the Leapmotor T03 (+2889.3%) up to a surreal and record third place.Β This is because of its price reduced to an incredible β¬4,900 after incentives and a further β¬3,000 rebate from the manufacturer. Its advertising campaign promotes it as βcheaper than your bikeβ. Almost 10,750 units of the T03 have now been registered in Italy since the start of the year, earning it a fifth place YTD. The Dacia Sandero (-15.1%) rallies back up 17 ranks on February to #4 but remains well below its year-ago level. Although it drops two spots on February, the Fiat Grande Panda (+1073%) posts an encouraging third consecutive month inside its home Top 5. The Nissan Qashqai (+2.9%) and Dacia Duster (+25.7%) are back inside the Top 10, with the Fiat 600 (+21.6%) lodging its best ranking since May 2025 at #12.
The Dutch new car market stabilises after two horrendous months, with March up 1.1% year-on-year to 31,467 units. Logically, the year-to-date tally remains in frank negative at -10.8% to 81,480. Over Q1, HEVs account for 58.4% of the market at 47,603 sales, BEVs are at 30.5% and 24,869 units, petrol at 9.6% and 7,832 and diesel at 1.2% and 1,005. Kia (-0.5%) remains the dominant force here with 9% share, followed by BMW (-5.1%) up four spots on February to #2, Toyota (-12%) down one to #3 and Volkswagen (stable) at #4. Renault (-10.5%) rounds out the Top 5 like last month. Tesla (+18.4%) is back up to #6 and signs the biggest gain in the Top 12. Below, notice Leapmotor (+2850%), BYD (+187.8%), and Mazda (+59.6%) all in outstanding shape.
Over in the models charts, Tesla manages a 1-2 for the first time since December 2024 with the Model Y (+33.2%) in first place and the Model 3 (+3.3%) at #2. The Model Y now ranks #2 year-to-date vs. #3 over the Full Year 2025. Down to #3 for the month, the Toyota Aygo X (+31.3%) however remains in the YTD lead by far with 2.7% share. The Peugeot 2008 (+166.9%) spectacularly posts the biggest uptick in the Top 15 and shoots up 14 spots on last month to #4, now ranking #7 year-to-date vs. #34 over the Full Year 2025. The Kia Picanto (+30.6%) also posts a great result at #5. The superstar of 2025, the Skoda Elroq (+113.4%) is up on a year-ago starting career but only ranks #6. Same story for the star of early 2025 the Kia EV3 (-49%) imploding to #7. However its larger sibling the new Kia EV5 cracks the Top 10 for its 5th month in market at #8.Β
Toyota sales are up 67.5% year-on-year in February.
Itβs an outstanding month for new car sales in Spain with March volumes up 11.7% year-on-year to 130,340 units. This is a particularly good result given March 2025 was already up 23.2% on the year prior. In fact, this is the first time the monthly volume surpasses 130,000 units since June 2019 (134,341). March 2026 is up 6.2% on pre-pandemic March 2019. The year-to-date tally is now up 7.6% to 300,529. Rechargeable cars (BEV+PHEV) are up a whopping 62% to 26,725 units and 20.5% share and up 58.4% YTD to 62,966 and 21% share vs. 14% over the same period in 2025. All channels are in positive, with private sales up 17.5% to 51,774, company sales up 13.5% to 37,647 and short term rentals up 3.6% to 40,919. Year-to-date, private sales are up 5.6% to 129,540, company sales up 4.7% to 95,086 and rental sales up 15.1% to 75,903. The best performing regions are Baleares (+44.4%), Extremadura (+42.4%), Navarra (+38.7%), La rioja (+36.1%) and Castilla Leon (+31.2%).Β
In the brands charts, Toyota (+67.5%) surges ahead to cement its dominance at 9.2% share, distancing Volkswagen (+6.6%) up one spot on last month to #2. Renault (-13.8%) is handicapped by a strong year-ago basis when it led the market outright for the first time in almost 7 years. Seat (-13.7%) also struggles at #4 while Hyundai (+66.1%) brilliantly rounds out the Top 5 with 5.3% share vs. 4.2% so far this year. Mercedes (+18.4%) is the only additional Top 10 member to beat the market. Below, BYD (+174.6%) reaches a record 13th place, also hit last December, and breaks its volume (4,465) and share (3.4%) records. Citroen (+28%) and Opel (+33.7%) also make themselves noticed as do Omoda (+258.6%) and Ebro (+359.2%) both reaching record volumes.
The MG 3 lodges its first ever Top 10 finish in Spain.
Model-wise, the Dacia Sandero (-15.7%) reclaims the top spot it held over the Full Year 2025 and now also ranks #1 YTD, all this despite a significant YoY loss. The Toyota C-HR (+94.1%) surges to #2, but adding the C-HR+ BEV (pictured at top) it would end the month just 3 sales below the Sandero. The Peugeot 208 (+0.4%) is stable year-on-year but up four ranks on February to #3, distancing the Toyota Corolla (+61.3%), Seat Ibiza (+24.1%) and Hyundai Tucson (+86.6%) all in splendid shape. The Toyota Yaris Cross (+79.7%) and MG 3 (+34.8%) also impress, with the latter breaking into the Top 10 for the first time at #10.Β
First podium finish at home for the Renault Clio VI.
For the first time since last October, the French new car market is actually up year-on-year in March at a very robust +12.9% to 173,633 units. Keep in mind however that March 2025 was off -14.5% on the year prior. Due to a poor start of 2026, the Q1 volume is still in negative at -2.1% to 401,555. Encouragingly, private sales soar 22% to 80,183 and 46.2% share vs. 42.7% in March 2025. Long term leases among private buyers are up 42% to 28% share and short term rentals are up 19%. Meanwhile fleets are struggling at -3% to 39,172 units and 22.6% share vs. 26.3% a year ago, but BEV sales within fleets surge 77% year-on-year to reach 41% share. In the market as a whole, BEVs are up 69% to 49,406 units and 28.5% share vs. just 19% a year ago and year-to-date volumes are up 50.4% to 112,086 and 27.9% share vs. 18.2% over the same period in 2025.
The Tesla Model Y is just 15 units off a historical pole position.
In the brands ranking, Renault (+13.6%) manages to beat the market to reach 19.2% share, itsΒ highest since June 2022 (21.3%). In contrast Peugeot (-11%) is in dire straits and falls to a paltry 12.1% share vs. 14.1% so far this year. Dacia (+12%) returns to #3 after a couple of though months and climbs back up to #4 year-to-date. Citroen (+23.2%) is in excellent shape thanks to a renewed lineup and distances Volkswagen (+4.2%) and Toyota (-0.6%), both weak. Tesla (+203.1%) delivers an outstanding result, soaring to #7 with 9,569 sales and 5.5% share. This is the carmakerβs best ranking since December 2023 (#6), 2nd highest volume for just 3 units and highest share since November 2023 (6.1%). Fiat (+53.4%), BMW (+37%), Kia (+27.4%) and Audi (+20.3%) shine below. In the BEV brands ranking, Renault dominates with 9,613 sales (+46%) ahead of Tesla and Peugeot at 4,003 (+30%).
The Renault Twingo IV breaks into the Top 50 for the first time.
We have a completely reshuffled models charts, with the Top 3 fitting within less than 50 sales. The Dacia Sandero (+12.4%) is the overall best-seller with 4.1% share, the nameplateβs first monthly win since July 2024. Just 15 units below is the Tesla Model Y (+203%), reaching #2 with over 7,000 sales and 4% share. These are all records, beating its previous best of #4 (March 2023 and September 2024), 6,456 sales (March 2023) and 3.5% share (March 2023 and September 2025). Note that Tesla offered an additional 3,000β¬ cash for clunkers for the Model Y from January 9 to March 31. For its first real month of sales, the Renault Clio VI is up 8 spots on February to crack the podium for the first time at #3. The Peugeot 2008 (+4.7%) edges up at #4 while the Peugeot 208 (-26.8%) is in complete freefall at #5 but still tops the YTD charts. Other notable results include the Citroen C3 Aircross at #9, the Renault 5 down to #11, Tesla Model 3 up to #19 and the Renault Twingo IV breaking into the Top 50 at #47
The Hyundai Tucson is up to a record 2nd place in New Zealand in February.
New vehicle sales in New Zealand jump 8.3% year-on-year in February to 10,193 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 8.5% to 22,000. Toyota (-34.2%) stays on top of the brands ranking but sees its market share crash to 14.9% vs. 24.5% a year ago in February 2025. In contrast Ford (+44.3%) surges ahead to 12.6% of the market vs. 11.4% so far this year. Mitsubishi (-13.5%) falls one spot on last month to #3 and 8.9% share vs. 10% year-to-date. In the remainder of the Top 10, Hyundai (+185.7%), Nissan (+41.1%) and BYD (+37.3%) stand out. Newcomer Chery repeats at #13 with 1.9% share.
Over the models charts, the Ford Ranger (+44.7%) lodges an excellent score and repeats at #1, cementing its YTD leadership. The surprise of the month is delivered by the Hyundai Tucson surging 17 ranks on last month to #2, the nameplateβs best-ever ranking in New Zealand, meaning it snaps the SUV crown off the Toyota RAV4 (-48.7%) hit by its generation changeover. In between is the Nissan Navara (+147.6%) managing another outstanding month at #3. The Mitsubishi ASX (+25.7%) is very strong at #5, as are the Ford Everest (+108.3%) and Toyota Hiace (+81.8%). The Toyota Hilux (-50.6%) implodes at #6 as the new generation slowly arrives in dealerships.
The Toyota Corolla is the 2nd best-selling vehicle in Slovakia in February.
The Slovak new car market stabilises in February at -0.9% year-on-year to 6,151. This is however a poor result given February 2025 was down -19.4% on the year prior. Due to a disastrous January figure, the year-to-date tally remains in frank negative at -8.3% to 11,742. In the brands charts, Skoda (-6%) struggles but still manages a solid 19.6% share. In contrast Hyundai (+33.9%) excels and gains three spots on last month to #2 with 9.4% share vs. 7.1% so far this year. Sister brand Kia (+1.4%) is stable and steps up to #3. Toyota (-5.7%) and Volkswagen (-5.3%) round out the Top 5 in weak fashion. Meanwhile Suzuki (+95.1%) continues to surge and is up to #6 year-to-date vs. #14 over the Full Year 2025. Further down, Fiat (+248%) stands out at #17.
Model-wise, the Skoda Octavia (-25%) stays on top with 4.1% share despite a drastic year-on-year fall, with the Toyota Corolla (+98.3%) nipping at its heels with 3.8% share. The Corolla also ranks #2 year-to-date vs. #12 over the Full Year 2025. The Kia Ceed (-13.7%) disappoints at #3 ahead of the Skoda Karoq (+11.4%) and Hyundai i30 (+38%). The Hyundai Tucson (+75%), i20 (+72.2%), Skoda Kamiq (+42.4%) and Fabia (+27.1%) also shine below.
The Kia Picanto is once again the most popular vehicle in Colombia.
New vehicle sales in Colombia continue to surge, at +49.5% year-on-year in February to 25,582 units. This way, the year-to-date tally is now up 44.6% to 45,580. This the highest February volume in 12 years. Kia (+48.4%) follows the market to remain in the brands pole position by far with 14.6% share. It is followed like last month by Renault (+6.4%) down to 9.6% share. Chevrolet (+65.5%) advances two spots on January to #3, distancing Toyota (+25.8%) and Mazda (+9%) both weak. BYD (+136.9%) scores the biggest year-on-year gain in the Top 10 ahead of Foton (+132.3%). Notice Tesla ranking at #18 with 1.2% share for its first month in this market.
Model-wise, the Kia Picanto (+102.5%) once again doubles its year-ago volume to repeat at #1 and sign a third win in the past 6 months (add last September). The Toyota Corolla Cross (+164.4%) rallies back up six spots on last month to #2 ahead of the Kia K3. The Renault Duster Nacional (-2.4%) suffers at #4 as it ranked #1 a year ago. The BYD Yuan Up (+152.9%) brilliantly rounds out the Top 5 after ranking #4 last December. Excellent performance by the Hyundai Kona (+132.3%) up to a new record 7th place. Notice also the Ford Territory up to #15 and the Tesla Model 3 landing directly at #23.
The BYD Sealion 7 is the best-selling car in Albania in February.
Our local partner CE Auto shows the Albanian new care market standing at 1,050 units in February and 1,903 year-to-date. This month BYD monopolises the Top 5 with the Sealion 7 at #1 with 16.6% share followed by the Yuan Plus at 14.3% and the Seagull at 12.7%. The Yuan Plus and Song Plus complete the Top 5 with the Tang at #7 and the Fang Cheng Bao Tai3 at #9. The Skoda Kamiq, China-imported VW Tharu and Skoda Scala are the only non-BYD models in the Top 10.