Spain approaches 2005 new car registrations record with 11% growth

The automotive sector in Spain closed one of its best Marches ever this year, falling just 725 vehicles short of the record set in 2005. Around 130,000 new vehicles were registered during the month, representing an increase of over 11% compared to the same period last year and placing the market at levels not seen since 2019, before the pandemic. With this growth, the sector closes the first quarter with more than 300,000 passenger cars registered, 7.5% more than in 2015.

The sector is optimistic about the coming months. "If this trend continues, we'll be looking at around 1.2 million sales this year," Anfac Director of Communications and Marketing Félix García says.

The national association of vehicle dealers (Ancove), however, warns that behind the positive figures lie trends that require attention. Sources say a more accurate comparison should be made using data for the first four months of the year, not just the first three.

This is because sales figures for the first quarter can be distorted by the timing of Easter. Since Easter falls on different dates each year, car registrations can shift forward or backward. For example, this year, because Easter falls in early April, some sales may have been brought forward into March, making that month look stronger than it really is.

One of the factors driving growth is the strong performance of electrified vehicles and especially conventional hybrids, which are consolidating their position as the most popular choice. In March, registrations of electrified models (pure electric and plug-in hybrids) surged by more than 60%, exceeding 26,000 units and representing 20.5% of total sales. Conventional hybrid technology remains the dominant option, accounting for nearly half of all sales and solidifying its position as the entry point to electrification for many drivers.

So far this year, electrified vehicles have surpassed 62,000 units, with year-on-year growth of nearly 60%, representing 21% of the market, almost seven points higher than in 2025. Furthermore, the reinstatement of the 15% income tax deduction for the purchase of electrified vehicles has significantly boosted demand, particularly in the private buyer sector, where these types of purchases grew by more than 80% in March.

By sales channel, private individuals purchased over 52,000 vehicles in March, representing growth of nearly 16%, while businesses registered approximately 37,000 new vehicles, an increase of around 15%. Within this segment, leasing is growing strongly, while direct business purchases show significant dynamism and dealership self-registrations are declining slightly. Meanwhile, the rental car channel, with just over 40,000 units, is moderating the strong growth recorded in the first two months of the year.

The concern is not limited to the calendar effect, but also extends to the pace of growth. One in three cars sold in Spain so far in 2026 has been to private buyers. Nonetheless, it is leasing that is driving the market, with a 14.6% increase year-to-date, establishing itself as one of the main drivers of demand.

Despite progress in the electrification of transport, the sector insists on analysing the growth trend with caution given the volatility of demand, the impact of seasonal factors and the need to maintain support measures that promote fleet renewal. It considers it crucial to have tax incentives and stable aid programmes that allow the pace of electrification to be sustained in the coming years, especially in a context marked by the aging of the vehicle fleet, which has an average age of over 14 years.