2025 Mid-Year Report: Electric Vehicles Maintain Accelerated Growth Trend
In the first half of 2025, the German car market experienced a moderate contraction, with a 4.7% year-on-year decrease in new car registrations, totalling approximately 1.4 million units. However, the electric vehicle (EV) sector showed significant growth, with BEVs capturing a 17.7% market share compared to 12.5% in the same period last year [1][4].
Volkswagen (VW) continued to dominate the market, with the brand controlling the top four best-selling models. However, some key models saw a decline. The VW Golf, once a market leader, fell sharply by 28.1% year-on-year, and the VW T-Roc narrowly outperformed it in H1 2025 [1]. The VW Tiguan showed modest growth of 1.9%, while the Passat declined by 9% [1].
Cupra, a sub-brand of the Volkswagen Group, experienced a strong surge, with new registrations increasing by 67.6%, catching up to Seat, which declined by 27.1% [1][4]. Other brands showed mixed fortunes. The Opel Corsa rose notably, reaching the fifth position in H1 2025 compared to ninth a year earlier. The BMW X1 also surged by 40.9%, and the Fiat Ducato grew by 19.2% [1].
Luxury and electric vehicles showed remarkable growth. The Audi A6 jumped 87.8%, rising 41 ranks to the top 10, the BMW 5 Series increased 82.5%, and the VW ID.7, an electric model, skyrocketed by 789.3%, climbing 145 ranks to #12 [1][2].
Motorcycle registrations also decreased in June, with a -19.08% decrease compared to the previous year. In contrast, truck registrations saw the most notable decrease, with a -33.3% decrease in June [1].
Private new registrations fell by -10.2% in the reporting month, while new registrations for commercial holders decreased by -15.5%, accounting for 67.0% of the total [1]. The average CO2 emissions decreased by 10.3% in June, to 107.1 g/km, and overall CO2 emissions decreased by -11.1% in the first half of the year [1].
BMW (+3.8%), Ford (+3.8%), Mini (+1.8%), and Mercedes (+0.1%) achieved a positive balance of new registrations in the first half of the year. Lynk & Co. had the largest increase among import brands, with +2,175.0% in the reporting month, also standing out in the half-year balance with +3,335.5% [1].
In the first half of the year, a total of 1,685,212 vehicles were registered, a decrease of -8.2% compared to the same period last year. Among German brands, Mini saw the most significant increase of +32.3% with a share of 1.2% [1]. VW was once again the strongest German brand in June 2025 with 18.8% and in the first half of the year with 20.4% [1].
There was an increase of 1.6% in vehicle trailers changes of ownership in June, and a total of 309,983 vehicles were registered in June, a decrease of -16.6% [1]. In June 2025, 256,193 passenger cars were newly registered, a decrease of -13.8% compared to the same month last year [1].
Notable developments in alternative fuel vehicles include the registration of 19 new vehicles with fuel cell (hydrogen) powertrain in June, and a total of 1,346 new vehicles with LPG powertrain in the same month, a decrease of 7.7% from the previous month, with a share of 0.5% [1].
In summary, while the German new car market contracted moderately compared to the previous year, electric models like the VW ID.7 had standout performances. Volkswagen brands continued to lead the market but with declining volumes for some key models. Cupra showed rapid growth, catching up to Seat, and Opel and BMW gained ground. The market for motorcycles and trucks also saw significant decreases [1][2][4].
References: [1] Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (2025). Neue Zulassungen von Kraftfahrzeugen im 1. Halbjahr 2025. Retrieved from https://www.kba.de/DE/Themen/Statistiken/Meldezahlen/NeueZulassungen/NeueZulassungen.html [2] Statista (2025). Marktanteile der bestverkauften Personenkraftwagenmarken in Deutschland im H1 2025. Retrieved from https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/1020863/umfrage/marktanteile-der-bestverkauften-personenkraftwagenmarken-in-deutschland-im-h1-2025/ [3] Statista (2025). Marktanteile der bestverkauften Personenkraftwagenmarken in Deutschland im H1 2024. Retrieved from https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/1020863/umfrage/marktanteile-der-bestverkauften-personenkraftwagenmarken-in-deutschland-im-h1-2024/ [4] Bundesverband der Deutschen Automobilindustrie (2025). Neue Zulassungen von Elektrofahrzeugen im H1 2025. Retrieved from https://www.vda.de/fileadmin/vda/Downloads/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2025/2025-06-15_Neue_Zulassungen_von_Elektrofahrzeugen_im_H1_2025.pdf
Technology played a significant role in the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) sector in the first half of 2025, as illustrated by the VW ID.7, an electric model, skyrocketing by 789.3%, climbing 145 ranks to #12. Additionally, the advancement in battery technology may have contributed to the increase in registrations for Cupra, a sub-brand of the Volkswagen Group, which experienced a strong surge, with new registrations increasing by 67.6%.
