European car sales have increased for three consecutive months, with electric cars leading the way.

In April, European car sales continued to climb for the third consecutive month, with consumers continuing to snap up electric and hybrid models. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association announced on Wednesday that new car registrations increased by 7% last month to reach 1.15 million vehicles. Sales in major markets such as Germany and the UK all saw growth, with deliveries of electric cars increasing by 38%. The strong demand is undoubtedly good news for European car manufacturers, who are facing issues such as overcapacity, US tariffs, and declining sales in China. With European companies like Volkswagen and Stellantis NV, as well as Chinese brands like BYD Company Limited, introducing more affordable electric car models, electric vehicle sales are on the rise. In Germany, the largest electric car market in Europe, sales increased by 41% due to new subsidy policies. Bloomberg Intelligence stated that the extent to which the conflict in the Middle East has affected European consumers' buying decisions is not yet clear, but it has significantly increased the interest of consumers in Asia and other regions in electric vehicles. Meanwhile, if the conflict escalates, it could pose potential risks. Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Gillian Davis said in a report on Tuesday, "Rising energy costs resulting from the Iran war may dent consumer confidence and threaten spending on big-ticket items such as cars." While affordable electric cars are selling well, there is increasing evidence that higher-priced electric cars are still facing challenges in sales. Ferrari NV's first electric supercar, the Luce, is priced at 550,000 euros (approximately 639,000 US dollars) but has not been favored by industry reviewers and investors, leading to a drop in the company's stock price on Tuesday. Hybrid car sales in Europe also increased last month, while sales of petrol and diesel cars declined, indicating a continued structural shift towards battery-powered vehicles in the market. After a difficult 2025, Tesla, Inc. continues to recover in the European market, with a 47% increase in European sales in April. Deliveries of Volkswagen, Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz Group, and BMW Group also saw growth. Chinese brands continue to penetrate the European market, with BYD Company Limited, Geely, and others performing well. CHERY AUTO saw explosive growth, with sales soaring by 322%, and its JETOUR SUVs were particularly popular among UK consumers.