Sales of new passenger cars increased by 16.7% in 2023 and stood at 949,359 units, in their first double-digit increase since the pandemic broke out in 2020. However, the market recovery remains partial and is far from reaching the 1.25 million units of 2019.
With the increase in 2023, registrations are close to one million units for the first time in four years, a threshold considered by the sector associations that report sales data, Anfac, Faconauto and Ganvam, as a “psychological barrier” . The annual figure is “positive”, they say, in view of the increase in the cost of financing and inflation.
Although car sales have incorporated trends in recent years that distance them from the progress of the economy, their evolution continues to be an indicator of activity. Between 2009 and 2014, registrations were below one million units and it was not until 2015, with the recovery already consolidated, when this level was exceeded for five consecutive years. The pandemic disrupted this evolution and also, between supply problems, chip crisis and technological transition, the usual sales dynamics.
The 2023 result is the result of a 10% increase in vehicle sales in December, up to 81,772 units. In the last month of the year, the commercialization of industrial vehicles, buses, coaches and minibuses also stood out, with an increase of close to 17%.
Of the almost 950,000 cars registered last year, 419,528 corresponded to individuals, 14.5% more than in 2022, compared to the 393,815 acquired by companies and 98,887 by renters.
The brand with the highest sales was Toyota, with 79,883 units, ahead of Kia’s 66,245 and Volkswagen’s 63,871. Hyundai, Seat and Peugeot occupy the following positions, with volumes close to 58 units.
The Chinese model MG ZS was the best-selling in December and, after consolidating in the market since the summer, it has become the big novelty of 2023, ranking as the fourth with the best commercial results. For the first time, a Chinese car is among the best sellers in Spain.
However, the model that leads sales has been the Dacia Sandero, with 27,951 units, ahead of the Seat Arona and the Toyota Corolla.
The Anfac manufacturers association is confident that registrations will exceed the million-unit barrier this year and to do so it asks the Government for incentives for car purchases.
The Faconauto dealer association describes the exercise as “positive, but insufficient”, while Ganvam considers that in 2024 there should be a new progression in sales so as not to compromise the competitiveness of the sector.