Brussels, July 23, 2026 (Lusa) - New car sales in the European Union (EU) rose by 5.7% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, with Portugal recording growth of 10.5%, according to figures released on Thursday by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

The association revealed that between January and June, 5.89 million vehicles were registered, despite the «persistent headwinds weighing» on the sector.

In the Portuguese market, sales figures rose by 10.5% compared with the same period in 2025.

Despite the international situation, the market continued to benefit from «robust consumer demand and a range of electric technologies, thanks mainly to market support measures», the association emphasised.

The first-quarter results were driven by figures for June, which saw 1.15 million registrations, up 13.6% on the same month last year.

By engine type, non-plug-in hybrids maintained their lead in the EU during the first six months of the year, with a share of 37.3%, compared with 20.7% for pure electric vehicles and 9.8% for plug-in hybrids.

At the same time, petrol and diesel vehicles continued to lose ground and together accounted for 29.7% of registrations, compared with 37.8% a year ago.

In absolute terms, the EU registered a total of 1.22 million battery-electric vehicles in the first six months of the year, whilst registrations of plug-in hybrids rose by 2.2 million.

As regards manufacturers, the Volkswagen Group maintained its lead in the EU in the first half of the year, with a market share of 27.3%, followed by Stellantis (16.3%) and the Renault Group (11.6%).

Furthermore, during the period under review, the Chinese brand BYD saw its registrations soar by 168.2% in the EU, reaching 130,743, and achieved a market share of 2.2%.

Tesla also increased its sales by 75.4%, to 124,242, with a market share of 2.1%.

PYR/AYLS // AYLS

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