The sale of cars with only diesel or gasoline engines is declining rapidly. In 2026, three out of every four cars sold in Catalonia have an alternative powertrain, with non-plug-in hybrids leading the way. According to data from industry associations, 20,569 cars were sold in Catalonia between January and February, 4.1% more than in the same period of the previous year. Of these sales, 15,424 units were alternative models – hybrids, plug-in hybrids, pure electric vehicles, or gas-powered vehicles – representing 74.9% of the total. Half of the cars registered in Catalonia, 10,270, were non-plug-in hybrids, while plug-in hybrids accounted for 2,144 and fully electric vehicles for 2,342. Gas-powered cars totaled 668. However, plug-in hybrids are gaining ground, increasing by 54.8%, while pure electric vehicles grew by 40.16%. Conversely, non-plug-in hybrids increased by only 13.78%, and gas-powered vehicles fell by 4.9%.

The automotive market is starting the year weakly. In January, 9,434 new cars were registered in Catalonia, 0.7% fewer than in the same month last year, while across Spain as a whole, new registrations rose by only 1.1% to 73,103 units, according to data published this Monday by the industry associations Anfac, Faconauto, and Gan. These associations highlight two factors that have significantly impacted the slowdown in car sales this January, following a year of growth in 2025. Firstly, the effect of the DANA storm. Last year, car sales growth in January was very high due to the aid received by Valencians to replace vehicles damaged by the storm. This effect lasted for a few months last year, but has now subsided.

Andorra is a unique case worldwide when it comes to vehicle sales. Most people are already used to seeing expensive, high-performance models with Andorran license plates, but the ranking of best-selling vehicles for 2025 crowns the Pyrenean country as a rare elderly In the automotive world, the Porsche 911 has established itself as the best-selling car of the year, while BMW and Mercedes lead the ranking of best-selling brands.