Falling or abolished subsidy premiums characterize the new car market. PHEV and electric cars are less in demand. Other models are pushing ahead again. There is even a change in leadership in seven segments.
In December, numerous electric cars were still in the front places in the individual segments. The VW ID.3 and the Tesla Model 3, like the Porsche Taycan, were even able to conquer the top position in their classes. The e-car soaring was also clearly due to the foreseeable reduction in the e-car subsidy. For PHEV models, this was completely eliminated at the turn of the year. So if you still wanted a car with a plug for full funding, you had to act quickly.
The big hole behind the boom then opened up in January. Less or no more funding caused interest in electrification to decline. When it comes to small cars, the Fiat 500 is still at the top. The registration numbers, especially those of the E version, have dropped dramatically. The conveying brake completely wiped the Dacia Spring out of the top spots. Likewise the VW Up. Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo are now on the podium.
Golf back in the fast lane
Similar picture with the small cars. The Opel Corsa, which benefited greatly from its electric version, slipped to second place behind the Toyota Yaris. The Mini with a high e-share was pushed off the podium by the Skoda Fabia. The compact class was again free of electric cars on the podium in January. The VW ID.3 is only ranked below, as is the Seat Born. The VW Golf is once again dominating the top of the podium. He is followed by the Skoda Octavia and – drum roll – the Dacia Sandero.
Tesla Model 3 crashes
In the middle class, the Tesla Model 3, as the winner of the previous month, falls into insignificance and the usual suspects take over the regiment again. The Mercedes C-Class leads in front of the VW Passat and the Audi A4.
Electromobility and upper middle class have not yet resulted in a successful combination. This is where the Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series continue Journey to Jerusalem. In January, they came into place in exactly that order.
The Mercedes S-Class takes back the top spot in the luxury class from the Porsche Taycan. Behind the electric Swabian, the BMW 7 Series pushed the electric Audi E-Tron GT off the podium.
The new funding regulations are also leaving clear traces in the SUV segment. Tesla's Model Y has to give up its top spot to the VW T-Roc. The Ford Kuga, which placed second in the previous month, has been hit hard by the discontinued PHEV subsidy. He flies off the podium. Likewise VW ID.4/ID.5. As already mentioned, their positions are taken by the T-Roc and the Mercedes GLC.
Regardless of any subsidies, the VW Tiguan is a force among off-road vehicles - even in January. However, the Audi duo Q3 and Q5 followed in the reporting month. At the start of the year, the Porsche 911 took over the reins from the Ford Mustang in the sports car segment. The other podium places are filled by the E-Class Coupe and the SL from Mercedes.
Mini-vans: As always, Mercedes B-Class ahead of Peugeot 3008. The Renault Scénic is back on the podium. We rate the Kia Soul as another victim of the reduced e-car funding. The remaining segments, large-capacity vans, utilities and mobile homes, are resistant to such influences. The December result is duplicated here.
Conclusion
With a view to the e-car subsidy premium that fell at the turn of the year and the abolition of PHEV funding, many obviously preferred to buy their car. The December boom in plug-in cars is followed by a widespread crash in January.
