A look at the brands powering the EU’s new-car market growth

24 June 2026

The EU new-car market was boosted by a mix of established and new brands in May. But how important is the role of these newcomers in sustaining growth in 2026? Autovista24 special content editor, Phil Curry, explores the figures.

The EU recorded registration growth of 3.2% in May, which was helped by newer groups and brands entering the market. Data from industry association ACEA revealed that while leading marques lost volume, these drops were stabilised by results elsewhere.

This indicates that the increasing brand diversity in the EU is helping, rather than hindering the market. Providing more choice to buyers is facilitating change, rather than hesitancy or brand fatigue.

Yet while emerging carmakers continue to grow in the EU, it is the more established players that led the market in May. Despite declines or stagnation, it could be some time before competition from new players can truly be seen.

Volkswagen Group tops EU market

Volkswagen (VW) Group once again topped the sales chart, as its dominance of the EU automotive market continued in May. With 254,011 deliveries in the month, its 26.6% market share continued to lead. However, the group suffered a 3.6% fall in volumes year on year. This also meant its share of overall registrations dipped by 1.9 percentage points (pp).

After five months of 2026, VW Group led the way with 1,267,224 units. It was the only manufacturer group to break the one million registrations barrier. This was a 1.5% increase year on year, although its 26.7% market share was down 0.7pp.

Stellantis also struggled in May, as volumes decreased 2.6%, to 146,381 deliveries. The carmaker held 15.3% of total registrations in the month, a fall of 0.9pp.

The decline was driven by losses from its Peugeot and Citroen brands, which saw volumes dip 12.5% and 4.4% respectively. A strong result for Fiat, which saw a 22.9% increase, helped to offset further losses.

Between January and May, Stellantis saw its new-car deliveries improve by 5.7%, with 794,708 registrations. The marque was the only established group to experience a market share boost in the period, with its 16.7% hold up 0.2pp.

Renault Group saw a slight decline of 1.3% in May, with 100,507 registrations recorded. This result led to a 0.5pp decrease in market share. After five months of 2026, the group’s deliveries were 6.2% down, with results earlier in the year hampering its performance. This led to a 1.1pp drop in share, to 10.2%.

Overseas establishment struggles

Hyundai Motor Group was the fourth-best manufacturing conglomerate in May, with 69,204 deliveries. This was a 1.3% decline compared to May 2025, while its 7.2% market share was down 0.4pp.

Between January and May, the group saw a 2.7% drop in registrations, as it reached 334,422 units. While the Korean group held 7% of the market after five months, this was still a decline of 0.5pp.

Toyota Group saw 67,162 registrations in May, a small drop of just 0.7%. Despite having the second-best-selling brand in the EU with Toyota, its overall deliveries were not enough to lift it higher in the table. After five months, Toyota Group saw registrations drop 2%, with 335,973 units, and a 7.1% share.

Newer brands play their part in EU figures

Geely Group, including Volvo, Polestar, Smart, LEVC and Lotus, as well as Geely, Geely-Emgrand, Lynk & Co and Zeekr, improved in May. Deliveries rose by 9.9%, totalling 27,801 units. This was enough for a 2.9% market share, up by 0.2pp.

However, after five months, the group only saw a 2.7% improvement year on year. This meant its share of the market dropped by 0.1pp, as it held 2.6%.

Meanwhile, Chery Automobile, made up of Chery, Jaecoo, Omoda and Jetour, experienced a big jump in registrations. With 16,282 deliveries in May, it saw a 239.6% spike as its brands grew in popularity. This provided a 1.7% market share, up 1.2pp.

Chery saw a 265.2% improvement in registrations between January and May. With 65,621 units delivered, its 1.4% share was up by 1pp compared to the same period in 2025.

VW dominates again

Once again, the best-selling brand in the EU was VW. With 103,124 registrations in May, it experienced a 6% decline but still held a market share of 10.8%. This was a drop of 1pp, as competition elsewhere continued to dilute the market.

Toyota came in second with 62,592 deliveries, down 0.3% decline compared to May 2025. It also experienced a market share drop of 0.2pp, as it held 6.6% of the EU total.

Skoda also underwent a 0.3% fall in the month, as 62,343 units took to the EU’s roads. This was good enough for a 6.5% share, down 0.3pp. Meanwhile, BMW placed fourth, with 54,788 registrations. This was a 0.2% increase, although its 5.7% weakened by 0.2pp.

While Renault also struggled, the brand did round out the top five in May. In total, 54,460 models were delivered to customers, a 1% decline year on year. This led to a 0.2pp fall in market share, with the carmaker securing 5.7% of total registrations.

A leap in popularity

The two biggest jumps in registrations came from emerging brands. Leading the way was Leapmotor, which saw its volumes rise 447.3%. The result equated to 8,856 units being delivered to customers.

Although only holding 0.9% of the overall market, this was up by 0.7pp. Leapmotor’s performance in May meant it took a greater share than the likes of Porsche, Lexus, Honda and Alfa Romeo.

Meanwhile, BYD placed higher, although its volume growth was less than that of Leapmotor. With 26,017 units, the brand saw an improvement of 158.8%. This was good enough for 2.7% of the overall market, a 1.6pp rise year on year. This put the carmaker ahead of Ford, Nissan and Mini.

No change at the top

After five months of 2026, VW continued in its role as the best-selling EU brand. With 500,494 deliveries, it dominated thanks to a 10.5% market share. However, this equated to a volume decrease of 3.8% compared to the same period last year.

Skoda was second, with an 11.9% boost in deliveries despite its May result. Its 322,142 registrations were good enough for 6.8% of the overall total. Toyota placed third with 313,282 registrations, slightly closing the gap to Skoda following May’s deliveries. It held 6.6% of the market overall.