Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Italy’s Car Market Opens 2026 With Modest Gain as China’s Auto Output and Exports Surge on Thin Margins

January’s Italian uptick was powered by short‑term rental alongside dealer re‑registrations, with electric models near a 6.6% share.

Overview

  • Italy registered 141,980 new cars in January, up 6.2% year on year, a pace that would imply roughly 1.62 million sales in 2026 if sustained.
  • Growth came chiefly from short‑term rental (+182%) and manufacturer or dealer re‑registrations (km‑zero, +29%), while private buyers declined.
  • Battery‑electric vehicles accounted for about 6.6% of Italian registrations in January (roughly 9,400 units), with broader hybrid uptake still stronger.
  • Stellantis outperformed the market with 46,452 registrations (+11.8%) and a 32.6% share, as Fiat Pandina led sales and partner brand Leapmotor’s T03 topped Italy’s EV chart.
  • China produced 34.78 million vehicles in 2025 (+10%) and exported 8.32 million including 3.43 million NEVs, yet industry profits totaled about $66 billion, up only 0.6%, with key export destinations including Mexico, Russia and the UAE.