Tesla Model Y leads European car sales in 2026

The European automotive market has seen significant shifts in consumer preferences, with total vehicle sales for the January-September 2026 period reaching 10.56 million units, a 6.1% increase compared to the previous year. Dataforce figures indicate that the Tesla Model Y has risen from 15th place in 2025 to the number one position in Europe for the first nine months of 2026, recording 167,239 sales and a 51.8% increase in volume.

Traditional best-sellers follow closely, with the Dacia Sandero in second place (162,839 units) and the Volkswagen Golf in third (151,334 units). Other notable models in the top five include the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208. The market is characterized by intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers and a growing dominance of electric vehicles and SUVs.

In Greece, the demand for electric vehicles is also rising, with 8,193 fully electric cars registered in the first nine months of 2026, marking a 33.1% increase from the previous year. Citroen has emerged as a leader in the Greek electric passenger market, particularly with the e-C3 and e-C3 Aircross models.