Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Munich Auto Show
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Technology
    • Segment Analysis
    • Cars & Concepts
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
    • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
    • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
    • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
    • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
    • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. By the numbers
January 26, 2023 10:44 AM

VW, Tesla, Fiat lead Germany's final month EV surge, but backlash looms

All three brands claimed places on the country's list of top 10-sellers in December, which was the final month for a 6,000-euro incentive.

Douglas A. Bolduc
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    VW ID3 900x540_0.jpg

    VW increased ID3 sales more than 300% in December, helping full-electric cars finish the month as the country's most popular powertrain.

    Volkswagen, Tesla and Fiat gained from a big push by automakers and dealers in Germany to get full-electric cars registered ahead of a change in the incentives given to battery-driven models.

    All three brands claimed places on the country's list of top 10-sellers (see chart below) in December, which was the final month for a 6,000-euro incentive given to full-electric car buyers. The perk was reduced to 4,500 euros on January 1.

    Plug-in hybrids such as versions of the Ford Kuga with the powertrain also gained in December, which was the last month that incentives were given for models with the powertrain.

    Another driving force behind the spike in sales was that many automakers push sales of electrified models in the final month of the year to avoid costly fine from the European Union for missing their annual CO2 emissions targets.

    In Germany, full-electric cars accounted for a market-leading 104,438 sales in December, beating out gasoline powered cars because of the 115 percent increase on the same month in 2021 (see chart below).

    BMW was another brand driving the 113 percent increase in sales of plug-in hybrids in December.

    The automaker increase sales 33 percent last month to 22,695, with plug-in hybrid variants of models such as the 3 Series family accounting for a large portion -- 40 percent -- of the brand's total growth last month.

    BMW's plug-in hybrid sales surged last month in Germany because of strong demand for models such as 330e xDrive Touring (left).

    The big gains for electrified models boosted the overall German market 38 percent in December, helping the country's full-year sales finish in positive territory, a rise of 1.1 percent, but that success will come at a price.

    "This will mean significantly lower registrations in the first quarter of 2023 since the regular volume was brought forward," Dataforce Senior Automotive Analyst Benjamin Kibies said.

    The market research estimates that the sales spike pulled forward 114,400 vehicle registrations, with private customer registrations accounting for 40,500 of that total.

    Some of the brands that made big gains in Germany last year were; Tesla, which increased its market share more than a point to 2.6 percent; Cupra, which also rose more than a point to 2.3 percent; and MG, which grew to 0.6 percent from 0.1 percent.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Mercedes set to invest billions in German, Chinese and Hungarian plants
    Recommended for You
    Mercedes A-Class production Rastatt wheel
    Mercedes set to invest billions in German, Chinese and Hungarian plants
    Volkswagen VW Russia Kaluga factory
    VW sees all its Russian assets frozen by court
    Audi e-tron at 2022 Wuhan auto show
    Audi seeks to catch up in China in test of Germany's automotive grit
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Munich Auto Show
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Technology
      • Segment Analysis
      • Cars & Concepts
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress
      • ANE Rising Stars
      • ANE Eurostars
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: All or nothing: Why circular business models require a holistic approach
        • Capgemini: Invent Head on automotive takeaways from CES 2023
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Capgemini: The circular economy is spurring new thinking on EV batteries
        • Capgemini: Toyota and Capgemini leaders on how OEMs can handle industry changes and succeed
        • HEXAGON: Plugging into data is the only way to make winning EVs
        • TUV Rheinland: Ideas, services and certifications for smart mobility
        • TUV Rheinland: Testing of automated and autonomous vehicles on test tracks
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us