The Automotive Update: Europe’s used-car rollercoaster and new EV models for Ford
15 August 2025
How did Europe’s biggest used-car markets perform in the first half of 2025? What can be expected from Ford in 2027? Which Volkswagen (VW) models will not see their prices rise? Autovista24 editor Tom Geggus delves into the week’s news in the latest Automotive Update podcast.
In this week’s episode, Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry discusses Europe’s five biggest automotive markets. New-car sales experienced volatility in early 2025, but did used cars face the same issues? What new electric vehicles (EVs) does Ford have in store? Lastly, a breakdown of VW’s pricing strategy.
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European used-car market fortunes
Europe’s big five automotive markets have seen new-car volatility so far this year. Meanwhile, the used-car sector has told a more nuanced story, with a trend of disunity.
In the second quarter of 2025, the UK and Italy stood out with positive transaction performances. In the UK, petrol vehicles accounted for over 90% of all used-car transactions during the second quarter. However, this dominance appears to be in decline following a rise in electrified sales.
Italy saw used-car transactions increase by 17% in the second quarter of the year. These gains contrasted sharply with the country’s new-car sector, which fell in the second quarter of 2025.
Used-car market pressures
Germany’s new-car market faced considerable challenges last year, and these issues have persisted into 2025. Ongoing pressure has constrained vehicle supply, in turn impacting the volume of used-car transactions. Even so, this market has proven resilient, declining by only 0.1% in the second quarter.
France currently has the weakest new-car market among Europe’s big five. A small decline in the used-car market suggests that while demand has held up, broader market conditions remain challenging.
So far this year, Spain has enjoyed one of the greatest new-car results, with registrations up by 13.8% year on year in the second quarter. However, its used-car market was defined by an ageing parc and falling transactions.
Ford’s upcoming EV line-up
Ford has announced its new family of affordable EVs will hit the road in 2027. The models will sit on the carmaker’s new universal EV platform. Ford claims this will reduce the required parts by 20%, compared with a typical vehicle.
The first model in this line-up will be a midsize, four-door electric pickup with a targeted starting price of about $30,000 (€25,664). It will be built at Ford’s Louisville assembly plant for US and export markets. The carmaker is investing nearly $2 billion in the site, which it states will secure 2,200 hourly jobs.
VW’s pricing plans
VW Passenger Cars is set to increase the cost of some of its vehicles later this month. Automobilwoche broke the news after seeing a letter from the carmaker to its dealers.
On 21 August, cars from the brand’s 2026 model year are set to see prices rise by 1.5% on average. However, the carmaker’s electric models, from the ID.3 to the ID.7, look to be exempt, alongside the T-Roc.
