Global automotive markets show divergent trends in August 2026

Automotive markets in Latin America and Europe show divergent trends for August 2026. In Argentina, the new vehicle market faced a significant contraction, with registrations falling 19.1% year-on-year to 44,415 units. This decline is reflected in both passenger cars and light commercials. However, the motorcycle segment in Argentina saw robust growth, with registrations increasing 34.2% compared to August 2025. Additionally, the electric vehicle segment in Argentina experienced a massive surge, with sales up 882.1% year-on-year, led by BYD.

In Colombia, the motorcycle market demonstrated strong momentum, with 899,078 new units registered between January and August, a 28.94% increase from 2025. Bajaj, Suzuki, and AKT remain the market leaders.

European markets showed growth. Spain reported its best August since 2019, with vehicle registrations rising 11.8% to 68,544 units. Toyota emerged as a leading manufacturer, while the Dacia Sandero remained the most popular model. In Portugal, the market also grew by 11.3%, with the Dacia Sandero taking the top sales position, displacing the Peugeot 208.