Core Insights - The European automotive market experienced its third consecutive month of growth in September, driven primarily by the demand for more affordable electric vehicle models [1][2] - New car registrations in Europe rose by 11% year-on-year, reaching 1.24 million units, with strong performances from fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles [1][2] - Despite the positive September data, the growth momentum may be difficult to sustain due to multiple challenges facing the industry [1][3] Electric Vehicle Growth - The acceleration of electrification, particularly the popularity of affordable models, was the main driver of growth in the European car market [1] - Sales of fully electric vehicles (EVs) increased by 22%, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) saw a significant rise of 62%, together accounting for nearly one-third of new car registrations in the region [1] Market Performance by Manufacturer - BYD emerged as the biggest winner with a staggering 398% increase in sales, raising its market share from 0.4% to 2% [2] - Renault Group and Stellantis also showed solid performance with sales growth of 15.2% and 11.5%, respectively, while Volkswagen Group grew by 9.7% [2] - In contrast, Tesla's sales declined by 10%, with its market share shrinking from 4.0% to 3.2% [2] Challenges Facing the Industry - The pace of electric vehicle adoption, particularly in the high-end segment, has not met expectations, leading to production cuts by manufacturers like Volkswagen and Stellantis [3] - Policy uncertainties surrounding the EU's plan to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 are dampening electric vehicle adoption [3] - Geopolitical risks and trade tensions, including the impact of former U.S. President Trump's tariff policies, are adding pressure to the European automotive industry [3]