Tesla Takes Heavy Blows
Europe’s most popular new car excels in practicality. We are, of course, talking about the Dacia Sandero.
Of the five most popular cars in the Netherlands, three were EVs: the Skoda Elroq, Kia EV3, and Tesla Model Y. In the list of the ten most popular cars in Europe, we do not find a single model that is only available with electric powertrains. In fact, in the Top 25, there is only one model that is always an EV: the Tesla Model Y. It ranks 15th. However, in the Top 25, there are models available with both internal combustion engines and electric powertrains. However, these are not found in the top five. The absolute winner in Europe: the Dacia Sandero.
Last year, 243,676 units of the Dacia Sandero were sold in Europe, making it the most popular new car in Europe. This is according to figures from Dataforce published by Automotive News. Unfortunately for Dacia, the Sandero performed somewhat worse than in 2024. Approximately ten percent fewer units were registered last year than in 2024. In second place is the ever-popular Renault Clio, followed by the Volkswagen T-Roc in third place. Volkswagens are also found in fourth and fifth places, respectively the Tiguan and the Golf. Like the Sandero, the Golf also recorded a sales decrease of about ten percent. Also interesting: the Kia Picanto, last year’s most popular new petrol car in the Netherlands, does not appear in the European top 50.
And Tesla? It also received heavy blows. Last year, 28 percent fewer Tesla Model Y units were registered than in 2024. In total, this amounted to 151,550 units. The Tesla Model 3 finished in 43rd place. 86,301 units were registered, 24 percent fewer than in 2024.