---
title: "Global new-car registrations fell 4.9% in the first half of 2026; South America grew 16.9% — Master Services"
description: "ACEA estimates 35.7 million new passenger-car registrations worldwide in the first half of 2026, down 4.9% year on year."
url: "https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/las-matriculas-mundiales-de-autos-bajaron-4-9-en-el-primer-semestre-sudamerica-crecio-16-9-a3380bc9/"
language: "en"
---

Mobility and vehicle sales

Global

# Global new-car registrations fell 4.9% in the first half of 2026; South America grew 16.9%

Master Services Technical Team · Selection and context

Published by Master Services · 12 October 2026 at 08:42 GMT-5

Automated curation

Updated: 12 October 2026 at 19:26 GMT-5

![Illustration of cars and a van beside charging and fueling infrastructure.](https://masterservices.org/images/news/mobility-20260925.webp)

Conceptual illustration · Master Services.

Image details

Editorial illustration generated with AI for Master Services.

Summary

ACEA estimates 35.7 million new passenger-car registrations worldwide in the first half of 2026, down 4.9% year on year.

## Reading the regional differences

[ACEA’s regional table (page 7)](https://www.acea.auto/files/Economic_and_Market_Report_First_half_2026.pdf#page=8) shows EU growth of 5.7%, South America growth of 16.9%, and an 11.0% decline in Asia. These figures are provisional.

Each change compares a region with its own January–June 2025 result. A higher growth rate does not imply a larger market. Nor can South America’s result be transferred to Panama: they are different geographic areas. The comparison helps explain how worldwide registrations can fall while some regions record growth.

## The main powertrain categories in the EU

The [EU new-registration breakdown, report page 10](https://www.acea.auto/files/Economic_and_Market_Report_First_half_2026.pdf#page=11), includes these categories:

-   Battery-electric cars (BEVs): 20.7%.
-   Non-plug-in hybrids (HEVs): 37.3%.
-   Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): 9.8%.
-   Petrol cars: 22.2%.
-   Diesel cars: 7.5%.

The chart also includes an Other category.

[HEVs combine a combustion engine with an electric motor](https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric-basics-hev) but cannot charge from an external power supply. [PHEVs can charge externally](https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric-basics-phev) and can also use fuel. Counting all of them as battery-electric vehicles would conceal a distinction that matters to station and fleet operators.

## Registrations do not describe the entire fleet

These shares use new passenger cars registered during the half-year as their denominator. They do not show the powertrain mix of all vehicles on the road. A car bought in an earlier year falls outside this measure even if it continues to cover miles and consume energy.

For local follow-up, [INEC’s transport statistics](https://www.inec.gob.pa/publicaciones/Default2.aspx?ID_CATEGORIA=4&ID_SUBCATEGORIA=22) provide a reference point. Check each table’s year and definition before comparing it with ACEA: a vehicle-fleet count is not equivalent to new registrations.

## Why it may matter to operators

Assessing demand at a station in Panama requires comparable local data: new-vehicle registrations show additions, the active fleet describes existing vehicles, and fuel sales measure volume dispensed. Each series needs a consistent period, area and vehicle category. This international report alone cannot quantify a future rise or fall in local gasoline or diesel consumption.

Editorial note

Summary and context by Master Services. Consult the original source and confirm local applicability for each project.

## Original source

ACEA

Source publication: 12 October 2026

[Read the original document (opens in a new tab)](https://www.acea.auto/publication/economic-and-market-report-global-and-eu-auto-industry-first-half-of-2026/)

Automated summary, without individual human review.

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## More on Mobility and vehicle sales

[![Illustration of cars and a van beside charging and fueling infrastructure.](https://masterservices.org/images/news/mobility-20260925.webp)](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/el-consumo-electrico-de-vehiculos-en-ee-uu-crecio-8-entre-semestres-con-menor-ritmo-e1d98de6/)

Conceptual illustration

Mobility and vehicle sales

United States

Source date: 30 Sept 2026

### [U.S. vehicle electricity use grew 8% between half-years, at a slower pace](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/el-consumo-electrico-de-vehiculos-en-ee-uu-crecio-8-entre-semestres-con-menor-ritmo-e1d98de6/)

Automated curation · Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Published by Master Services: 5 Oct 2026

[Read our summary](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/el-consumo-electrico-de-vehiculos-en-ee-uu-crecio-8-entre-semestres-con-menor-ritmo-e1d98de6/)

 

[Original source (opens in a new tab)](https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=68224)

[![Illustration of cars and a van beside charging and fueling infrastructure.](https://masterservices.org/images/news/mobility-20260925.webp)](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/los-hibridos-lideran-las-nuevas-matriculas-de-la-ue-los-electricos-a-bateria-alcanzan-el-21-7-bcd70ad0/)

Conceptual illustration

Mobility and vehicle sales

European Union

Source date: 24 Sept 2026

### [Hybrids lead new EU registrations as battery-electric cars reach 21.7%](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/los-hibridos-lideran-las-nuevas-matriculas-de-la-ue-los-electricos-a-bateria-alcanzan-el-21-7-bcd70ad0/)

Reviewed selection · Source: ACEA

Published by Master Services: 25 Sept 2026

[Read our summary](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/los-hibridos-lideran-las-nuevas-matriculas-de-la-ue-los-electricos-a-bateria-alcanzan-el-21-7-bcd70ad0/)

 

[Original source (opens in a new tab)](https://www.acea.auto/pc-registrations/new-car-registrations-5-3-in-august-2026-year-to-date-battery-electric-21-7-market-share/)

[![Concept illustration of an electric car, a hybrid and a van on an urban road.](https://masterservices.org/images/news/mobility-registrations-20260927.webp)](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/colombia-registro-4-542-vehiculos-electricos-y-9-195-hibridos-nuevos-en-agosto-b674e56a/)

Conceptual illustration

Mobility and vehicle sales

Colombia

Source date: 1 Sept 2026

### [Colombia registered 4,542 new electric and 9,195 hybrid vehicles in August](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/colombia-registro-4-542-vehiculos-electricos-y-9-195-hibridos-nuevos-en-agosto-b674e56a/)

Reviewed selection · Source: ANDI y Fenalco / RUNT

Published by Master Services: 25 Sept 2026

[Read our summary](https://masterservices.org/en/noticias/colombia-registro-4-542-vehiculos-electricos-y-9-195-hibridos-nuevos-en-agosto-b674e56a/)

 

[Original source (opens in a new tab)](https://andi.com.co/Home/Noticia/18083-andi-y-fenalco-en-agosto-de-2026-se-reg)

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