Italy automotive market: used car sales and sports cars grow amid production crisis

The Italian automotive sector is experiencing divergent trends. While overall vehicle production faces a deep crisis—dropping from over one million units annually in the early 2000s to just 152,000 in 2025—specific segments and the used car market are showing resilience.

Data from UNRAE indicates that the sports car segment is growing, reaching nearly a 1% market share in July 2026. The Porsche 911 leads sales in this category. Simultaneously, the used car market is expanding significantly. In June 2026, used vehicle transfers rose by 3.7% compared to the previous year, with 448,071 transactions recorded. The first half of 2026 saw over 2.8 million transfers, a 1.4% increase year-on-year.

In the used market, diesel remains the most popular fuel type at 39.1%, followed by gasoline at 37.8%. Hybrid vehicles are seeing sustained growth, accounting for 12.6% of transfers. A notable trend is the aging vehicle fleet, with nearly half of all used cars being more than 10 years old. In cities like Rome, the used market is particularly strong as consumers seek more affordable, recent models that comply with local emission regulations.