Spain Passenger Car Registrations January 2026 Rise 1.1% Despite Market Uncertainty

On February 2, the Automobile Manufacturers Association of Spain (ANFAC) reported that Spain passenger car registrations January 2026 totaled 73,103 units, marking a 1.1% increase compared with January 2025. The association noted a cautiously positive start to the year amid ongoing market uncertainties.

Brand-wise performance and sales dynamics

Major brands delivered mixed results during the month, reflecting uneven demand across segments and channels. While some manufacturers recorded strong growth, others faced declines compared with the same period last year. Sales performance highlights included:

• Toyota sales declined 5.5% to 7,106 units

• Seat sales surged 36.7% to 5,011 units

• Peugeot sales rose 43.6% to 4,705 units

• Volkswagen sales increased 10.6% to 4,204 units

• Mercedes-Benz sales grew 3.7% to 3,958 units

Top-selling models in January

Model-level demand remained concentrated among compact and crossover vehicles, aligning with long-term Spanish auto market trends. The best-selling cars in January 2026, ranked by volume, were:

• Peugeot 208

• Seat Ibiza

• Seat Arona

• Toyota Corolla

• Toyota C-HR

Powertrain mix and market structure

The powertrain composition of Spain passenger car registrations January 2026 continued to shift, with alternative technologies dominating new registrations. Market share by fuel type stood at:

• Gasoline vehicles: 22.6%

• Diesel vehicles: 4.5%

• Other vehicles: 72.9%

Sales channel breakdown

Channel-wise performance showed contrasting trends across private, business, and rental segments, underlining structural changes in demand. In January:

• Private car sales fell 6.4% to 35,775 units

• Business sales declined 2.4% to 27,312 units

• Rental car sales jumped 63.5% to 10,016 units

Industry commentary and policy outlook

Felix Garcia, director of communications and marketing at ANFAC, stated, “January is starting positively despite the uncertainties. If we discount the DANA storm effect, the growth rate would not be 1% but 7%. It is true that rental car purchases have been key, but private buyers are also holding strong. We in the sector insist that there is currently no support whatsoever for electric vehicles. The Auto+ Plan has not been published, nor is the extension of the 15% income tax deduction for the purchase of an electric vehicle in effect. It is necessary to provide certainty to the market and consolidate the transformation towards electromobility. It is an unstoppable trend, as can be seen in the fact that diesel’s market share is steadily declining and is now below 5%.” Juan Luis Barahona, President of the Spanish Car Rental Association (FENEVAL), highlighted concerns in a December 17, 2025, official press release regarding the European Commission proposal to introduce minimum zero-emission vehicle adoption targets for corporate fleets by 2030. He noted that the 63.5% year-on-year rise in rental car purchases reflects efforts to secure fleet availability for the spring tourist season and ongoing vehicle renewal, while also signaling the sector’s caution toward proposed regulatory changes.