Slovakia Passenger Car Sales : 2026 (Jan-Jun)

June registrations were up 6% in June but down 4% YTD. Škoda sells one in five cars here, twice as good as Volkswagen's one in ten. Between them one in three and they both improved market share, albeit slightly. 

Hyundai and Kia have 15% of the market between them but that is down a sizable two percentage points on 2025. Suzuki had a 37% jump in its share but Mercedes-Benz and BMW are having a subdued YTD. I'm surprised Tesla has only just arrived. 

Four Škoda models sell in strong numbers. The Octavia (1,949), Fabia (1,294), Kamiq (1,207) and Karoq (1,201). The Totota Corolla (1,205) also sells well. 

Data source: ZAP. Photos: Suzuki Swift & Tesla Model Y. 

Kia Deliveries : 2022-26 (H1)

Kia is the smaller volume brand compared to Hyundai but it still sells in large numbers. An excessively protected home market helps. So how have recent years gone, when broken into quarters?

2022: It was up 5% to 2.9 million. The EV6 crossover arrived, the fifth generation Sportage SUV and Niro small SUV.  Plenty of activity there. 

2023: Volume was up 6% to nearly 3.1 million units. 

The EV9 debuted as an electric seven seat SUV. 

2024: Global sales were the same as last year. The EV5 electric medium sized SUV was introduced. The Seltos comapct SUV had a major mid life update.

2025: A modest 2% increase to 3.135 million deliveries. The new K4 passenger car arrived, the Tasman pick up truck and EV3 compact crossover likewise. 

2026: The PV5 passenger and commercial van was introduced. Sales so far are up 3% YOY. 

Summary: Kia is a very consistent performer. It seems to be riding the increased competition well. The question is can it continue to do so? 

Data source: Kia. Photos: Sportage & K4.

Australia China PC/LCV Brands: 2025-26 (H1)

In 2026, Chinese brand penetration was 20.4% and for H1 2026 27.3%. The majority of cars arriving in Australia are manufactured in China, some for legacy brands. 

The big brand in Australia is Toyota and has been number one for 23 consecutive years, since 2003.  It has had supply issues but extra shipments are being arranged to minimize wait times. This has allowed rival brands like BYD to gain significant gains in the meantime. 

BYD is making sure supply isn't an issue for them and is closing in on a brand that looked to have a permanent seat at the top of the charts. It's currently in second place. GWM (Haval, Tank, Ora & GWM Ute), Chery and MG are all strong brands here with others ready to join them. 

Data source: FCAI, Car Expert.
Photo sources: Zeekr Australia (X) & BYD Australia (Denza B8).

Maserati Global Sales: 2023-26 (H1)

With the marque going up market, it was inevitable that deliveries would fall in the transition period. As we see from 2023 to the halfway point of 2026, volume has been falling dramatically. The 2026 37% drop is a YOY comparison. 

For the 2012-25 article, simply click here. 

Israel China PC Brands: 2025-26 (H1)

When it comes to cars, Israel looks to Asia. It was Japan and Korea but now there is also China. Cars with some sort of electric propulsion are also popular and that suits Chinese car makers. 

In 2026, the total for Chinese brands was 29.7% and for H1 2026 43.9%. The top two places are currently held by Jaecco/Omoda brands combined and Chery. They also have six of the top ten places. As Israel intends to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, surely the swing to Chinese brands will continue. 

Data source: Israel Vehicle Importers Association.
Photos: Changan (Deepal SO7) & GAC (Aion V).

USA Light Vehicle Sales: 2025-26 (Jan-Jun)

US light vehicle sales are down around or slightly above the 3% mark. If the figures below are rounded, then they are educated estimates or the way they are released by the car company. Otherwise they are exact numbers per the car company. 

Toyota is gradually pulling away at the top from Ford and Chevrolet. The next four Asian brands have all increased their share. 

There are small brands like Morgan that don't report sales, although Morgan for example could be about 150 sales in H1 2026.

If you are wondering why the usual influx of new Chinese brands aren't listed, it's because they haven't arrived. As this list is compiled from each car brand's press releases, I'm glad they haven't arrived. It's a big enough job as it is without more brands.  

Data source: Car companies. 
Photos: Ford Maverick, Nissan Sentra & Tesla Y.

UK China PC Brands: 2025-26 (H1)

Registrations of Chinese brands in the UK was 9.8% in 2025 and are currently at 15.3%. That's steady progress and will only become more so. 

European brands that have dominated the market will be watching with intense interest as the UK hasn't been resisting this influx like the EU has been.

The data below has been extracted from the complete list of brands. MG got in early in the UK and benefits from that, but they seem to be hitting a ceiling. Newer entrants are making large gains. Smart is a Chinese joint venture brand, so I view it as suitable for inclusion.

UK Passenger Car Sales : 2026 (Jan-Jun)

Registrations were up 11% in June and 9% YTD. The current top six all lost market share on 2025. Mercedes managed to climb three places despite a 1% fall due to Toyota, Nissan and Hyundai all dropping more. This Nissan's lowest ranking since 1971 when they were named Datsun. Hopefully, the second half of the year will be more successful.   

Chinese brands are making their presence felt but for now only MG has managed to enter the top ten. How far they will go is a moot point. With EVs taking 30% of registrations in June and 25% YTD, one would think Chinese brands will relish the opportunity to capitalise on that. 

Data source: SMMT. Photos: Nissan Sunderland & Omoda. 

VW Group Car/LCV/CV Deliveries: 2025-26 (H1)

The VW Group's H1 is broken down into four parts. The first covers passenger car and light commercial deliveries by brand. 

Deliveries are down 7% YTD (Q1 was -4%). Just over half (52%) are for VW PC, which is down 11%. Audi is down 7% and Porsche -15%. Škoda is up 9% and VW light commercial division +7%.

The truck division is known as Traton. Man is up 8% (Q1 up15%), Scania +1% (Q1 -6%) but the rest are down. That puts the division 1% lower than 2025 (Q1 -6%). When added to the above, it brings VW Group to 4,125,700 units. 

The regions involve adding the two above for a complete VW Group. Western Europe leads the way with 42% of the total and a 3% increase. China continues its trajectory down, now just under a quarter of the total and -26% (Q1 -15%). Take China out of the equation and the result is quite good. 

Finally, we look at how electric vehicles are faring. Virtually all of them are sold in Europe (86%) and it was the only region that increased. Frankly, everywhere else is very poor. The USA and China experienced a collapse in volume but as the numbers involved aren't large, it mitigated the impact to just -6% collectively (Q1 -8%).

Volvo / Polestar Deliveries : 2025-26 (H1)

Volvo had a disappointing 2025 after several years of solid increases. In trying times, 2026 is down 8%, -11% in Q1 and  -6% in Q2. At the half way point, deliveries are -54% of the total 2025. 

Most models are feeling the pinch with new models (XC70 and ES90) not of sufficiently large in volume to make up the shortfall. 

Data source: Volvo (ES90) & Polestar (2).

The Rest about the same as 2025. The pain is coming from the Americas (-12%) and China (-27%). Volvo is seemingly not chasing volume but realigning its sales.

I'd love to know the logic behind reducing the breakdown of regional deliveries to just two regions and everything else lumped into a nebulous 'Rest' category. Over 60% of the total is therefore unspecified. Duh!

As for Polestar, after a poor 2024, 2025 was up 34%. Now in 2026, up to H1, it is at break even point with last year. This is due to a drop in Q2 of 4%, offsettling the Q1 increase of 7%. More detail isn't available from Polestar. 

The current model range of the Polestar 2 (saloon car), Polestar 3 (SUV), and Polestar 4 (SUV coupe). The Polestar 5 GT is the next cab off the rank, due about now (mid 2026). 

Porsche Global Deliveries : 2025-26 H1

Deliveries were down 15% in Q1 and down 16% by H1. Porsche clarified why this is the case. "Key reasons include the end of production of the combustion-engined 718 model, the strong ramp‑up phase of the all‑electric Macan in the same period of the year before, and the discontinuation of tax incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles in the United States."

All these factors were foreseeable so in line with expectations. The China sales drop is accelerating and it seems to have been expected too. "The main reasons remain the challenging market environment and Porsche’s continued focus on value-oriented sales." I take the latter part to mean protecting margins by not eroding them to maintain volume.

The 911 is selling strongly, up 19%. The Cayenne is also holding up but as for the others, some serious reductions. The Macan is probably the most disappointing. Transitioning to electric has hurt as well as the reliability issues and repair costs of  ICE cars. 

 Data & photo source: Porsche. (911 & Macan).

Regions: All have suffered setbacks so it does seem to be a policy of winding back volumes. China is down to just 12% of total deliveries. Germany decreased the least with a 6% fall YTD. North America is the region outside the homeland that has contracted the least, at -13%. Europe (excluding Germany) is down 14% and China is becoming somewhat irrelevant, now the smallest region. 

The car industry is a challenging place to be and many legacy marques are having to reposition themselves. Profit margins are being squeezed and the days of profligate spending are over.

Israel PC Sales : 2026 (Jan-Jun)

Registrations are up 11.5% YTD, with Jaecoo/Omoda establishing itself at the top. With Chery moving into second spot, Toyota is uncharacteristically elbowed out of the way. Hyundai has likewise suffered that indignity. 

Hybrid cars make up 54.8% of total sales and EVs 12.2%. Combined, that's two thirds of all registrations. Chinese brands have benefited from that uptake. 

Mazda was the top brand here as recently as 2010, but is now 24th. Hyundai and recently Toyota took the top spot. Will they ever get it back?

Data source: Israel Vehicle Importers Association.
Photos: Jaecoo Israel (J7) & Geely Israel (Starray).

France Passenger Car Sales : 2026 (Jan-Jun)

Registrations were up 11% in June and 2% YTD. Renault has established a healthy lead over Peugeot. Renault owned Dacia is next, having lost 6% market share and is close to being overtaken by Citroën. Tesla has moved up ten places and is safely ensconced in the top ten. 

Chinese brands are establishing themselves here, offering value in the EV segment. For now, just to are in the top twenty, MG and BYD. Others are arriving but how far they get remains to be seen. 

 France gives EVs subsidies depending on the carbon used to build the car and ship it to France. Chinese car brands rely heavily on coal power, and shipping cars to Europe adds more carbon. This effectively disqualifies many Chinese models from receiving the cash rebate. If EVs are bought to help the environment, then it makes sense. 

Data source: CCFA.
Photo sources: Renault (Symbioz) & Citroën (e-C3).

Australia Car/ LCV Sales : 2026 (Jan-Jun)

Registrations were up 10% in June and up 1% YTD. China is now the largest supplier of vehicles, deposing Japan. The speed of the transition would have caught the industry by supprise. Toyota had a sizable drop due to supply issues but also mounting competition. Chinese brands are pushing hard but Toyota is confident it will have 20% market share come December. I wouldn't bet against that.

BYD is working hard to ensure a good supply, even using its own ships to achieve that objective. GWM covers different brands within the company. I was separating them but not now, due to the effort but also getting the data to do so may not now be possible. Sometimes, I try too hard. 

A few brands don't report sales, so aren't listed. The 2025 share below is for the complete year and includes Mahindra, a brand yet to report in 2026. Xpeng has taken over distribution of its cars and in the interim, sales have fallen sharply. 

Data source: FCAI, Car Expert.
Photo sources: Ford Australia (Ranger) & GWM Australia (Haval H6).

NZ China PC Brand Sales: 2025-2026 (H1)

Many cars coming to NZ originate in China, 15,289 or 29.7% to be precise. That's up 109% on 2025. China now rivals Japan as a source for cars. 

Not all of these make the chart to the right. The brand had to be Chinese owned (at least 50/50) and made there. 

In six months, 12,798 passenger cars have been sold. That excludes vehicles classed as commercial, such as pick up trucks, delivery vans and lorry type trucks. 

At 24.9%, a quarter of the car market is covered here, up from 12.6% for the first six months of last year. Sales volume is up 127%.  

MG is still top but as its increase is just 32%, BYD at +169% will surely pass MG before the year's end. GWM's Haval is third with a 46% increase. GWM also does Tank and Ora. 

The n/a is because the brand is new to NZ in 2026 or that the increase exceeded 1000%. Jetour is another brand expected to arrive in 2026. 

Data source: NZTA. Photo sources: MG NZ (ZS) and Dongfeng NZ (Box).