According to data from GlobalData, the diesel car share of Western European car sales rebounded slightly in October, reaching a provisional figure of 10.7%. This marks a recovery from September’s low point but remains comparable to levels seen earlier this year in March and June.
The year-on-year decline of diesel cars slowed down since Q2 of the current year, registering at 2.5% for October. Despite this trend, actual sales figures saw a decrease; around 100,000 diesel vehicles were sold in October compared to approximately 122,000 units during the same period last year (a reduction of 22k cars).
Cumulative sales up until October amounted to 1.1 million units, a decline from January-October 2024 figures which stood at 1.37 million. This represents an overall year-on-year drop of 20%. Only three countries—Austria, Germany, and Ireland—are holding onto diesel cars with over 20% share, with Germany particularly standing out due to its significant contribution in terms of volume.
The used car market for diesel vehicles is experiencing robust prices amid the shrinking new vehicle sector. Diesel cars continue to be preferred choices for towing tasks where battery electric vehicles (BEVs) lack competitiveness. Additionally, they are favored for their durability and cost-efficiency, making them a popular choice among consumers who prioritize these attributes.
Recent trends indicate that small diesel engines have been rapidly phased out with an increasing focus on larger displacements around the 2.0L mark. The market is witnessing a slight rise in sales of vehicles equipped with bigger engine capacities, although the overall trend remains one of decline.
