Leading Drive Types in July 2025: Alternative Drives Taking the Top Spot
In July 2025, the German car market showed a dynamic shift with a significant increase in new passenger car registrations, reaching a total of 264,802 units, an 11.1% increase year-on-year.
Overall Market and Segment Leaders
The Volkswagen T-Roc emerged as the best-selling model overall, particularly popular among private buyers. The VW Golf, a long-time leader, ranked lower but remained prominent in the general market rankings. The Dacia Bigster, a large SUV, made a remarkable jump to fourth place among private buyers, underlining growing interest in value-priced SUVs.
Powertrain Breakdown and Leading Alternative Models
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) sales saw a 58.0% increase year-on-year, while Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHVs) surged by 83.6%. The VW ID.3, a compact electric hatchback, was a top contender, and the Audi A6, including electrified variants, experienced robust sales growth.
Summary by Segment and Powertrain
| Segment | Leading Model(s) | Powertrain Type | Notes | |------------------|------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Compact Crossover SUV | VW T-Roc, BMW X1, Dacia Bigster | Mostly petrol, hybrids, and some BEVs | T-Roc dominates; Bigster rising fast in private sales | | Hatchback / Compact | VW Golf, VW ID.3 | Petrol (Golf), BEV (ID.3) | Golf still popular but declining; ID.3 growing EV demand | | Premium Sedan | Audi A6 | Plug-in hybrid / BEV | Significant growth due to electrified variants | | Large SUV | Fiat Ducato (private sales #2), Mercedes GLC | Mostly petrol/diesel with growing hybrids | Stable demand in private and general markets | | Electric Vehicles | Tesla Model 3, VW ID.3 | BEV | Tesla sales down 55.1%, ID.3 strong in private buyers |
Market Trends
Volkswagen remains the market leader with a 19.6% share in July, bolstered by strong SUV sales and EV introductions like the ID.3. Mercedes and BMW maintain strong positions in premium segments, increasingly supported by electrified models. Tesla’s German sales dropped sharply (-55.1%), but the Model 3 remains a notable BEV in the market.
Growth in private sales of SUVs and electrified vehicles (BEVs and PHEVs) highlights a shift in consumer preference towards SUVs with alternative powertrains.
Additional Findings
- For hydrogen-powered vehicles, Hyundai's "Other Vehicles" recorded the most new registrations.
- The Toyota Yaris was the top-selling model for full hybrid vehicles and in the hybrid (non-plug-in) category.
- For plug-in hybrid vehicles, the VW Tiguan was the top-selling model.
- For gas-powered vehicles, the Dacia Sandero recorded the most new registrations.
- In all other segments, the top-selling models from the previous month remained unchanged.
- The Volkswagen T-Roc, VW Golf, and Dacia Bigster are prominent in the car market, with the T-Roc being the best-selling model overall, particularly popular among private buyers.
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHVs) showed significant increases in sales, with the VW ID.3 and Audi A6 being top contenders in these segments.
- Volkswagen remains the market leader in July 2025, bolstered by strong SUV sales and EV introductions like the ID.3, while Mercedes and BMW maintain strong positions in premium segments, increasingly supported by electrified models.
- The growth in private sales of SUVs and electrified vehicles like BEVs and PHEVs indicates a shift in consumer preference towards SUVs with alternative powertrains.
- For hydrogen-powered vehicles, Hyundai's "Other Vehicles" recorded the most new registrations, while the Toyota Yaris was the top-selling model for full hybrid vehicles and in the hybrid (non-plug-in) category, and the VW Tiguan was the top-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle model.
