Europe has suffered its worst June performance for car sales for almost 30 years as registrations fell 17% year on year, with electric vehicles and hybrids hit by the declining market.
Registrations across 27 European markets totalled 1,054,807 - down from 1,268,508 in June 2021, according to Jato Dynamics.
The market analyst said it was the lowest June result since 1993. Year to date, new registrations moved to 5,537,670, a year on year decline of 14%.
The decline had previously been attributed to the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors and the war in Ukraine. Electric vehicle production in particular has been affected by the supply crisis, after sustaining promising levels of growth in previous months.
“The operating environment is becoming increasingly difficult, and worryingly the few safe havens that previously existed across the industry are now starting to show signs of decline too,” said Felipe Munoz, global analyst at Jato Dynamics.
Electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid registrations were hit in June. Some 215,000 EVs and plug-in hybrids were sold, down 8% year on year. Jato said June marked the biggest fall for electrified vehicles since April 2020, when the industry was most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
EVs continued to outsell plug-in hybrids, holding a 63% share of the 215,000 units registered in June. Some car makers, such as Tesla and Volkswagen, were forced to halt production due to supply issues and Covid-related lockdowns in China.
Jeep recorded the highest market share increase for electrified models, rising from 30% to 47% year on year. Jaguar, Lexus, Mitsubishi and Citroën were close behind.
The Peugeot 208, meanwhile, was Europe’s best-seller for a third consecutive month. The small hatchback achieved a healthy 38% growth year on year, with 24,488 cars sold across the continent.
It was followed by the Dacia Sandero (24,229), Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (19,679) and Fiat 500 (19,500). The Dacia Duster (19,039) completed the top five.
The top 10 best-selling models in Europe are listed below.
The best-selling cars in Europe in June 2022
1 Peugeot 208, 24,488 units, +38% year on year
The Peugeot 208 retained the top spot in June with 24,488 sales. Its popularity is no doubt helped by extensive revisions in line with Peugeot's new design language. Its versatility and affordable price remain attractive, as it's offered with petrol, diesel and electric powertrains.
2 Dacia Sandero, 24,229, +7%
The highly affordable Dacia Sandero supermini achieved 7% year-on-year sales growth in June to narrowly finished second behind the 208. It became an even more appealing buy last year with the introduction of a new-generation model, featuring much-improved equipment such as LED headlights and a touchscreen infotainment system. It previously topped the list, so expect it to challenge until the end of the year.
3 Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, 19,679, -7%
A slight dip in registrations for the Corsa means it moves down to third place, having held the top spot for quite some time. The revamped Opel/Vauxhall Corsa had a successful 2021, finishing as the UK’s best-selling car. It continues to remain popular at the halfway point of 2022, its PSA-developed underpinnings and mix of petrol, diesel and electric powertrains proving attractive.
4 Fiat 500, 19,500, +1%
Is there a more recognisable small car than the Fiat 500? It’s been on sale since 2007, and it’s unlikely to be dropped any time soon. The model recently gained an electric variant with battery sizes up to 44kWh. Range is pegged at 199 miles, but mild-hybrid and petrol models remain on sale if electric isn’t your bag.
5 Dacia Duster, 19,039, +27%
The Dacia Duster, the Sandero’s compact crossover counterpart, had a hugely successful June, selling more than 19,000 units in June – a year-on-year growth rate of 28%. Priced from around £15,000, the Duster also received a comprehensive facelift earlier this year with a new design and modern in-car technology.
6 Volkswagen T-Roc, 18,679, -14%
The Volkswagen T-Roc has been around since 2017, and its popularity reflects its versatile mix of petrol and diesel powertrains, as well as the recent introduction of a performance-oriented flagship R model. You can even get a convertible.
7 Volkswagen Golf, 17,575, -36%
Now well into its eighth generation, the Volkswagen Golf continues to be one of the top-selling cars in Europe. June wasn’t so positive for the model, with a year-on-year drop of 36%, but it was still enough to see the hatchback finish in seventh place. Its latest line-up features pure-ICE, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, with performance models ranging from the Golf GTE to the four-wheel-drive Golf R.
8 Renault Captur 17,556, -13%
The first-generation Renault Captur is one of those uncommon, enduringly successful cars that are undemanding to drive, attractive to look at and decently frugal. It jumped back into the top 10 in June, but the total of 17,556 units sold represented a year-on-year drop of 13%.
9 Tesla Model Y, 16,687, na
The best-selling battery-electric vehicle in June, the Tesla Model Y sold more than double the second-placed Fiat 500, with the US firm shifting 16,687 examples in Europe. It’s still only currently available in its most-expensive Long Range specification, with a range of 315 miles and 434bhp.
10 Toyota Yaris, 15,216, -30%
The Yaris supermini remains popular in its fourth generation but was hit heavily in June with a sales drop of 30% year on year. It's still Toyota’s most successful and biggest-selling model in Europe, though, and for good reason. Its GR performance variant, meanwhile, was one of the best cars we tested last year.
