Goodbye to diesel, sales halved in Europe in 10 years. Country by country here is the situation

TURIN – The contraction in volumes and consequently in the market share of diesel cars in Western Europe has been constant for more than a decade: from 52% in 2008 to around 30% in 2020, as certified by ACEA data, the association of european manufacturers. A study by analysts from LMC Automotive, which includes cars and light commercial vehicles, reveals that in the first six months of this year the decline in share has continued, falling to 24% (5.6 points less than in January-June 2020) , but the real surprise was the increase in volumes. Thanks to the rebound of the markets, which are confronted with a first half of 2020 characterized by 3-4 months of total lockdown of factories and dealers, diesel sales grew by 3.4%, or an additional 45,800 pieces, going from 1,361 to 1.407 million units.

In the first half of the year, Germany confirmed its position as the market leader in diesel vehicles by volume, with 395,000 units. Germany’s record for diesel is no surprise, both because Germany is the largest European market and for the highest share of premium cars, however, unit sales of diesel vehicles fell by 19,100 units. The second market for diesel volumes is Italy with 247,000 units, which however leads the ranking for the increase in units sold: 39,700 more diesel vehicles. In third place was France with 230,200 diesel vehicles, equal to 5,100 more than in January-June last year. Great Britain and Spain follow, respectively, with 156,500 and 124,500 units, equal to 22,500 and 16,500 more sales. Ireland, which is only tenth in terms of volumes, 24,100 up by 2,900 units, remains the country with the highest diesel penetration at 37.7%, ahead of Luxembourg with 33.3% and Austria with 30.5%.

Among the top five European countries by sales, Germany continues to have the highest share of diesel with 28.4%, albeit down by 5.8 points compared to January-June 2020. At a close with 28% round is positioned Italy, which loses 7.6 points. Spain follows with 26.9% (4.3 points less) ahead of France with 25% (-6.5). In the UK, the aversion to diesel vehicles continues to strengthen and the share has fallen to 17.2%, a contraction of almost ten points in two years compared to 26% in 2019.