First registrations of new passenger cars declining – numbers of electric cars and used plug-in hybrids on the rise

The number of first registrations of new passenger cars declined by 13.4 per cent in January–June 2019 compared to the corresponding period in 2018. During the first half of the year, 60,277 new passenger cars were registered. In 2018, the figure was 69,612.

“Even though the first registrations of passenger cars have declined, it is good to note that the current volume is not exceptional when set in a longer perspective. As a matter of fact, the number of first registrations is now roughly at the same level as in early 2015,” says Adviser Karoliina Aalto from Traficom.

The number of first registrations of lorries has increased by 17.6 per cent. The registration volumes of buses, coaches and vans, on the other hand, have decreased.

The registration volume of motorcycles increased during the first have of the year by 7.6 per cent and mopeds by 8.5 per cent.

Boost in demand for electric cars – imports of used plug-in hybrids increasing

Electricity is the most popular alternative power source for new cars. There has been a significant increase in the number of new electric cars registered this year: during the first half of the year, 995 electric cars were registered for the first time, which is more than last year in total (776).  Similar to petrol and diesel cars, the first registration volumes of cars using other alternative power sources have decreased.

“The first registrations of plug-in hybrids have decreased, but the number of used plug-in hybrids imported from abroad has increased significantly,” Aalto says.  

In January–June this year, 2,605 used plug-in hybrids were imported into Finland. The corresponding figure in January–June 2018 was 893. The majority of these were petrol–electric hybrids, but diesel–electric hybrids have also become increasingly popular. The growing popularity of electric cars is also evident in import statistics on used cars as their import volumes have doubled.

“For the achievement of climate targets, it is wonderful that alternative power sources are becoming more and more popular in imported used cars. The registration volumes of new electric cars are also showing positive growth. I believe that the growing popularity of alternative power sources reflects a wider change in public opinion and increasing public concern about climate change. The range of electric car models available has also expanded,” says Chief Adviser Outi Ampuja. 

Imports of used cars have increased by 21 per cent compared to the previous year. During the first half of the year, 20,404 used passenger cars were imported into Finland.

Number of new cars highest in Uusimaa, Skoda Octavia topping the list

In January–June, the most popular passenger car model in Finland was Skoda Octavia: a total of 3,015 new Octavias were registered during the period.  Octavia was followed by Ford Focus (2,477) and Nissan Qashqai (2,428). The number of first registrations of new cars was highest in the Uusimaa region in southern Finland.