The Spanish passenger car market experienced a particularly strong September. Registrations reached 93.858 units , representing a 10,2% increase compared to the same month last year, when 85.167 vehicles were registered. This figure marks the sector's best September since 2007, a result not seen in two decades.
The cumulative figures for the first nine months also inspire optimism: 912.059 passenger cars have been sold , 6,7% more than in the same period last year, when 854.731 units were registered. The market is thus maintaining a positive trend that is bringing it closer to pre-pandemic levels.
A record-breaking September and upward forecasts
The last time a September saw over 90.000 deliveries was in 2007, with 96.754 units . The current figure is just 2.896 cars shy of that record and represents a 14,7% improvement over September 2019, the last year before the pandemic, which closed with 81.837 registrations. Industry associations expect to close the year with over 1,2 million passenger cars sold and do not rule out exceeding 1,26 million, which would return the market to levels close to those seen before the coronavirus.
Tesla makes a splash in the monthly rankings
The model rankings have revealed an unusual sight: the Tesla Model 3 was the best-selling car of the month , with 2.528 units. This is the first time a pure electric vehicle has topped monthly sales in Spain. Its first-place ranking is partly explained by the American company's delivery policy, which concentrates a significant portion of orders in the last month of each quarter.
Following it were the Seat Ibiza, with 2.183 units , and the Dacia Sandero, with 2.157, which completed the podium. The Toyota Corolla was fourth, with 2.138 deliveries, and the Toyota C-HR, fifth, with 2.121. The Japanese brand also placed the Toyota Yaris Cross in sixth position, with 1.720 units, reinforcing its market presence.
In the year-to-date figures, however, the Dacia Sandero remains in the lead with 25.926 registrations , followed by the Seat Ibiza, with 22.020, and the Toyota Corolla, with 19.257. The Sandero, therefore, maintains its status as the year's top seller despite having lost momentum in the last month.
Toyota maintains its lead among brands
Among manufacturers, Toyota was once again the top-selling brand in September, with 9.172 units sold and an 11,2% increase. Renault climbed to second place with 5.551 deliveries, ahead of Volkswagen with 5.113. Seat, with 4.831, and Kia, with 4.540, rounded out the top five for the month.
Chinese manufacturer BYD had a remarkable month, reaching sixth place with 4.434 units, one position higher than in August. So far this year, Toyota has extended its lead with over 80.000 registrations, ahead of Volkswagen with 57.609 and Renault with 52.815. The Japanese brand continues to demonstrate a strength that is difficult to match in the Spanish market.
Electrification gains ground
The main driver of the market has been the electrified vehicle. In September , 31.945 electric and plug-in hybrid passenger cars were registered , 56% more than a year earlier, representing 34% of the total, ten percentage points higher than in September 2025. In contrast to this growth, gasoline and diesel models continue to lose ground among buyers' preferences.
So far this year, electrified vehicles have reached 217.298 units , a 36,9% increase, and now account for 23,8% of the market. The Auto+ Plan, launched at the end of August, has played a significant role: its introduction has boosted the market share of these vehicles from 21% at the beginning of the year to 34% in September. Furthermore, 65% of electrified vehicle sales are to private individuals.
Pure electric vehicles have established themselves as the second best-selling technology this month, second only to non-plug-in hybrids, according to industry associations. Average emissions from new passenger cars fell to 88,5 grams of CO2 per kilometer in September, a 9% decrease, and the year-to-date figure stands at 100,2 grams, a 4,8% reduction.
Individuals and companies drive the market
By sales channel, private individuals have been the main driver. Between January and September, they accounted for 418.280 registrations , a 7,6% increase, with 51.713 units registered in September alone, a 13,5% rise. Businesses registered 311.148 vehicles this year, a 5,2% increase, and 39.509 in September, an 8,4% increase.
Rental companies, on the other hand, are showing more erratic behavior: year-to-date sales have reached 182.631 units , a 7,3% increase, but in September they reduced their purchases by 16,6%, to 2.636 vehicles. Industry associations attribute the overall positive trend to improved private demand and the boost provided by purchase incentives.
Outlook for year-end
The sector is looking ahead to the final quarter with optimism. The arrival of new Chinese models and brands , along with dealership sales campaigns and the push for electrified vehicles, should maintain this momentum. However, industry leaders warn that the strong performance of electrification could slow if direct subsidies are eliminated or not accompanied by favorable tax policies.
With 912.059 passenger cars registered through September and a forecast of over 1,2 million for the entire year , Spain is approaching figures not seen since before the pandemic. The market continues to rely increasingly on electrification and the ability of manufacturers to attract private buyers, who are driving the sector's growth.
