EU new car registrations climb, Romania cautions on imported used cars

New car registrations in the European Union rose 4% in the first five months of 2026, driven by strong demand for electrified models. Electric vehicles accounted for 20% of registrations, up from 15.3% a year earlier, while plug‑in hybrids held 9.7% of the market. Hybrids remained the most popular segment at 37.8%. The biggest gains were recorded in Italy (+75.7%), France (+55.4%) and Germany (+40.9%). By contrast, gasoline registrations fell 18.2% across major markets, with France seeing the steepest drop at 36.8%.

In Romania, more than 360,000 used cars were imported last year, mainly from Germany, France and Italy. A study found that nine out of ten German‑origin vehicles had recorded damage, and one in ten Italian or French cars showed odometer tampering. Experts advise buyers to verify the VIN, watch for unusually low prices and be wary of sellers who avoid providing documentation or independent inspections.