SEAT and CUPRA drive strong European sales amid EV boom

SEAT and its performance brand CUPRA delivered a record 170,100 vehicles in the first half of 2026, marking the strongest half‑year in the brand’s history. Overall sales grew 7.2% year‑on‑year, with an 18.5% increase in the second quarter, while SEAT handed over 129,600 cars. The launch of the CUPRA Rava model boosted electric‑vehicle orders by 85% in Q2, and the company plans to export more than 80% of its output to about 70 countries and to become a global brand with a Middle‑East entry by 2027. A €10 billion investment with the Volkswagen Group aims to make the Martorell plant fully electric by 2026.

Across Europe, total new‑car registrations rose 5.9% in the first half of 2026 to 7.25 million units. Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and France posted double‑digit growth, while Estonia recorded the largest percentage increase. Electric‑vehicle sales shifted, with battery‑electric cars falling 35% in volume but plug‑in hybrids rising 25%. German, British and French markets led EV sales, and Norway, Denmark and Finland held the highest EV market‑share. Chinese manufacturers posted extraordinary gains, with Chery up 303% and BYD up 145%, while Tesla grew 53% and Volkswagen added 2.1%.