SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE/MADRID, 2 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Vehicle sales in the Canary Islands experienced a significant decline of 38.7% in August compared to the same month last year, totalling 2,569 units. Thus far this year, the overall drop stands at 16.7%, according to data released by the associations of manufacturers (Anfac), dealers (Faconauto), and sellers (Ganvam) on Monday.
On a national scale, registrations of passenger cars and SUVs in Spain reached 52,322 units in August, indicating a decrease of 6.49% from the 55,954 registered in the same month of 2023. However, overall sales have risen by 4.5% this year.
Consequently, for the first eight months of 2024, total registrations amount to 671,551 units, compared to 642,580 units noted in the equivalent period of the previous year.
Breakdown by channel shows that private customers acquired 30,642 passenger cars and SUVs in August, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 2.7%, while the year-to-date purchases reached 288,131 units, up by 7.1%. Meanwhile, corporate sales registered 19,690 units in August (-14.2%) and 231,554 units thus far in 2024 (-10.6%).
Furthermore, car rental companies procured 1,990 passenger cars and SUVs in the domestic market during August 2024, marking a year-on-year decline of 37.6%. However, in the cumulative total of 2024, this category saw an uptick of 32.6%, reaching 151,866 units.
Additionally, 10,835 passenger cars were registered in August through rental agreements, indicating a decrease of 12% compared to previous years. Yet, over the first eight months of the year, registrations via this method grew by 9.9%, amounting to 183,322 units.
In another segment, registrations of light commercial vehicles reached 8,943 units in August, which represents a modest growth of 0.1% relative to the same month last year. For the first eight months of 2024, a total of 109,301 units have been sold, reflecting an increase of 16.6% from the same time frame in 2023.
By type, derivatives, vans, and pickup trucks saw an 8.9% rise year-on-year in August 2024, totalling 4,828 units, with a year-to-date increase of 16.7%, reaching 56,831 vehicles.
In contrast, light-chassis vans and trucks recorded 4,115 registrations in August, marking a year-on-year decrease of 8.6%. However, sales for 2025 so far stand at 52,470 vehicles, an increase of 16.5%.
ELECTRIFIED AND PETROL VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS DECLINE, HEV SALES RISE
In August, data from the associations indicate a fall in registrations of petrol and diesel passenger cars and SUVs, alongside electrified vehicles (electric and plug-in hybrids), whereas hybrid and gas-powered vehicle registrations have increased.
In that month, sales of battery electric vehicles (BEV, E-REV, FCEV) dropped by 24.8%, resulting in 2,696 sales of this vehicle category. This accounts for 5.2% of the total market, making it the fifth most popular engine type for August. Conversely, year-to-date sales saw a 2.5% increase, reaching 31,672 units.
Plug-in hybrid registrations (PHEV) fell by 10.5% year-on-year in August, totalling 3,010 units with a market share of 5.8%, while year-to-date sales also dropped by 5% to 38,168 units.
Registrations of petrol vehicles dropped to 18,050 units, representing a 17.4% decline year-on-year, holding a market share of 34.5%, and remaining the second most popular engine type in August. Year-to-date registrations fell by 3.5%, totalling 265,551 units.
Meanwhile, diesel, the third most popular engine in Spain during August, saw a 27.2% decrease in registrations, down to 4,863 units, giving it a market share of 9.3%. In total, 68,489 units of diesel vehicles have been registered, reflecting an 18.1% drop.
Notably, the only engine type to grow in registrations during August, alongside gas vehicles, was non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), with 21,261 units sold. This represents a 12.6% increase compared to August 2023 and a market share of 40.6%.
Gas vehicle registrations surged by 54.2% year-on-year, reaching 2,442 units, thereby capturing a market share of 4.7%. Consequently, during 2024 so far, they have sold 20,707 units, marking a 33.5% increase from the previous year.
INDUSTRIAL VEHICLE AND BUS SALES DECLINE BY 33%
Finally, data from the associations reveal that in August, registrations of industrial vehicles, buses, coaches, and minibuses fell by 33.1%, totalling 1,783 units, while the annual cumulative total reached 23,239 units, an increase of 12.2% compared to the previous year.
By type, industrial vehicle registrations dropped by 35.7% year-on-year in August with 1,630 units, although they experienced a 10.3% growth in registrations in the first eight months of this year, amounting to 20,492 units.
For buses, coaches, and minibuses, the eighth month recorded 153 sales, a 19.5% improvement, while the cumulative total was up 29% to 2,747 units.
The president of Faconauto in the Canary Islands, Manuel Sánchez, has issued a “warning message” to the Canary Islands Government, urging the initiation of a plan to support the automotive sector on the islands.
“Four years and two administrations have elapsed, yet we are still awaiting an incentive plan for the purchase and renewal of the vehicle fleet in the islands. The statistics for August speak volumes. The passenger car and off-road vehicle sector has declined by nearly 40%. All channels are struggling, with significant drops in corporate and rental sectors,” he stated.
Additionally, he noted that “despite the reductions in interest rates, companies still encounter obstacles in securing credit. It is crucial to propose measures that not only work towards fulfilling Europe’s climate objectives but also invigorate the automotive industry in the region, similar to steps taken by other communities across the country.”
“We have formulated an incentive plan and are still awaiting its assessment and implementation by the Canarian Executive,” he emphasised.
