European new car registrations increased by 63% in March 2021, but still far from pre-pandemic levels

The best-selling vehicle is the Volkswagen Golf, the electric car is dominated by the Tesla Model 3.

Last month, new car registrations increased by 63% in Europe compared with March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. According to our data for 26 markets across the region, volume rose from 842,094 to 1,374,313 units, bringing the Q1 volume to 3,045,703 – an increase of 1%. Despite this increase, Q1 2021 recorded the lowest total volume of new car registrations for a first quarter since 1986, when excluding 2020.

In the European model rankings, the Volkswagen Golf reclaimed its position as the most registered car in Europe with 26,265 units, up by 12% in March 2021. The electrified versions (PHEV and MHEV) of the Volkswagen Golf contributed to this growth, especially in Germany, where they accounted for  36% of the model’s volume. The Golf outsold the Peugeot 208 by 836 units, which was the top-seller in Q1, with almost 61,000 units in total. The Opel/Vauxhall Corsa also performed well, comfortably outselling the Renault Clio and Volkswagen Polo.

The Tesla Model 3 was fourth in the model rankings last month, and confirmed its position as the top selling model in the European BEV rankings in both March and Q1. The Model 3 also topped the BEV rankings in the UK, France, Norway, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal, Poland, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia and Germany.

Another non-European model which posted strong results was the Hyundai Kona, as the second most registered BEV in March 2021.