Automotive markets show divergent trends in Hungary and Romania

The new passenger car market in Hungary showed double-digit growth during the first three quarters of the year. According to the Association of Hungarian Automobile Importers (MGE), 108,422 new cars were registered, representing a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The third quarter alone saw a 12.3 percent annual expansion.

SUV models continue to dominate the Hungarian market, accounting for 67.4 percent of all new registrations between January and September. The electric vehicle segment grew by 30.2 percent, reaching a 9.6 percent market share, driven by increased model availability from Chinese manufacturers and fleet demand. Plug-in hybrids also saw significant growth, increasing by 102 percent year-on-year.

In Romania, the new car market experienced a decline. Between January and September, 97,210 new cars were registered, a 10.62 percent decrease compared to the previous year. While the used car market remains dominated by diesel engines, new car registrations in Romania are shifting toward hybrid and petrol-LPG models, with diesel's presence in the new vehicle segment diminishing significantly.